SingTel selects Ericsson for ultra-high speed broadband trial in Singapore

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERICY), will deliver an ultra-high speed fixed broadband trial network to SingTel. Based on Ericsson's EDA VDSL2 (Ethernet DSL Access Very-High-Bit Rate Digital Subscriber Line 2) broadband technology, the trial network will enable SingTel to deliver ultra-high speed broadband services deployed over existing copper lines.

This will make SingTel the first operator in South East Asia to deploy VDSL2 broadband technology in its network, providing access speed of up to 100 Mbps on copper, powered by Ericsson's VDSL2 equipment and solutions.

VDSL2, the most advanced standard of xDSL broadband wireline communications, will benefit operators with large-scale deployment of triple play services (voice, video and data) as it has inherent features enabling optimal user experiences for broadband services. Ericsson's ADSL fallback functionality also enables the re-use of existing Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), resulting in cost savings.

Tan Kah Rhu, Vice President, Core Engineering, SingTel, says: "SingTel, as the technology leader in broadband, is constantly on the lookout for new technologies that will enhance our customers' broadband experience. We are glad to work with Ericsson in deploying its VDSL2 broadband solutions to conduct this technical trial."

Ann Emilson, Country Manager of Ericsson Singapore, says: "We are proud to be selected as SingTel's broadband solution provider for this VDSL2 trial. We are also very pleased that we will be part of this exciting move towards new broadband services at unprecedented speed and quality levels in Singapore. This confirms our technology leadership in High Performance Broadband and we look forward to continuously enhancing SingTel's broadband capabilities with our future-proof broadband solutions."

Ericsson is shaping the future of Mobile and Broadband Internet communications through its continuous technology leadership. Providing innovative solutions in more than 140 countries, Ericsson is helping to create the most powerful communication companies in the world.

Read more at http://www.ericsson.com

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About VDSL2

VDSL2 is a new standard defined by ITU-T as G993.2. VDSL2 combines the capabilities of VDSL1 and ADSL2plus, and is available in a number of profilers for different access applications. VDSL2 can deliver support up to 100Mbps symmetrical services over standard copper loops. One of the most important aspects of the VDSL2 standard is that it uses Ethernet as multiplexing technology in the first mile. The elimination of ATM in the first mile means that the access architecture can be simplified into an end-to-end Ethernet access architecture that uses VLANs as the service-delivery mechanism across the entire access network. Within the VDSL2 standard, features such as dual latency enable quality to be built into the network in all layers, which will be needed to handle all aspects of providing upcoming services such as IPTV (Internet Protocol Television). Ericsson is actively participating in the industry efforts to make VDSL2 fully interoperable as quickly as possible.

About SingTel

SingTel is Asia's leading communications group with operations and investments around the world. Serving both the corporate and consumer markets, it is committed to bringing the best of global communications to customers in the Asia Pacific and beyond. With significant operations in Singapore and Australia (through wholly-owned subsidiary SingTel Optus), the Group provides a comprehensive portfolio of services that include voice and data services over fixed, wireless and Internet platforms. To serve the needs of multi-national corporations, SingTel has a network of 37 offices in 19 countries and territories throughout Asia Pacific, Europe and the United States. These offices enable SingTel to deliver reliable and quality network solutions to its customers, either on its own or jointly with local partners. The Group also has major investments in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. Together with its regional partners, SingTel is Asia's largest multi-market mobile operator, serving 85 million customers in seven markets. SingTel employs about 20,000 people worldwide and had a turnover of S$13.14 billion (US$8.12 billion) and net profit after tax of S$4.16 billion (US$2.57 billion) for the year ended 31 March 2006. More information can be found @ www.singtel.com and www.optus.com.au .