Business Services Industry

Ericsson and ACeS Hold First Public Trials of World's Smallest Satellite Phone

Business Wire, June 5, 2000

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 5, 2000

At CommunicAsia in Singapore, (NASDAQ:ERICY) Ericsson and ACeS will offer visitors the chance to try the Ericsson R190 Satellite phone - the smallest satellite phone available worldwide - in its first public demonstration. The dual mode handset is specially designed to support the ACeS (ASIA Cellular Satellite) service, as well as roam on GSM networks worldwide.

Visitors participating in the first ever live public demonstration of the Ericsson R190 Satellite/GSM 900 dual mode phone, will be offered free satellite calls to any destination in the world. This is a unique opportunity to experience the exceptional voice clarity and features of the phone and the ACeS service.

Weighing just over 200 grams, the Ericsson R190 is the world's smallest and lightest satellite/GSM dual mode phone and will introduce Asian consumers to the anytime-anywhere convenience of satellite telephony with a handset comparable in size to what they presently use with existing terrestrial services.

The R190 Satellite phone will make Asia more accessible, having been developed for people who work, travel and live in remote areas throughout the region. It offers a `one phone' solution with a satellite/GSM antenna that functions in both satellite and GSM 900 mode. Once out of cellular range, the phone will automatically switch to satellite mode to send or receive calls, and will switch back to GSM when in GSM coverage areas.

For added convenience, users can replace the satellite antenna with a smaller snap on GSM only antenna, which enables the phone to work as a regular cellular phone that can be used within GSM 900 coverage areas.

"We have worked very hard with our partner Ericsson to develop a first-generation handset that delivers the reach and performance of satellite telephony in a package that doesn't compromise users' size and weight expectations," said Adi R. Adiwoso, CEO and President Director of ACeS International Ltd. and PSN its largest shareholder, (Nasdaq:PSNRY). "We have been using the R190 for several months, making thousands of test calls on the ACeS network, and I can say that the Ericsson team over-delivered in creating an extremely high-quality product."

"Ericsson is committed to the future of satellite technology and believes that, with the Ericsson R190 and the advanced ACeS service offering, we will address the ever increasing consumer need for total connectivity in the Asian Pacific region," said Jan Ahrenbring, Vice President, Marketing and Communications at Ericsson Mobile Communications.

Ahrenbring added "Ericsson already has a very strong presence in Asia, with extensive distribution and after-sales support networks throughout the region, combined with major production facilities in Malaysia and China. I believe our partnership with ACeS will further strengthen this position while reinforcing Ericsson's ongoing commitment to the region. The R190 is a true achievement in this new communications medium, and ACeS offers Asians a compelling proposition."

The exceptionally small size of the Ericsson R190 is enabled by GMSS (Geostationary Mobile Satellite Standard), the satellite technology derived from the GSM standard. It exploits the main components already present in a GSM handset to transmit at GSM and satellite frequencies.

With initial retail pricing less than USD 1.00 per minute, ACeS will be the world's most affordable satellite telephony service. ACeS service will be initially offered in eight licensed Asian countries covering a population of 1.7 billion, and negotiations are under way with additional countries. Furthermore, ACeS has signed 43 international roaming agreements with additional 26 countries.

The Ericsson R190 Satellite phone is expected to be launched in Indonesia in September 2000, followed by a roll out across Asia in the months following.

Ericsson R190 features include:

-- ACeS satellite/GSM 900 dual band

-- Weight 210 grams

-- Size 130x50x32 mm

-- Extra snap-on GSM only antenna

-- Ultra slim battery

-- Talk time, 2 hours 40 min in both modes

-- Standby time, up to 47 hours (GSM), 42 hours (Satellite)

-- Data, fax, in satellite and GSM modes

To view the Ericsson R190, please visit: http://www.ericsson.se/pressroom/phli_pcoph.shtml

Ericsson is the leading communications supplier, combining innovation in mobility and Internet in creating the new era of mobile Internet. Ericsson provides total solutions covering everything from systems and applications to mobile phones and other communications tools. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for customers all over the world.