Press Release: Ericsson and Apollo Hospitals to bring healthcare access to rural India

Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) and Apollo Telemedicine Networking Foundation (ATNF), a part of the Apollo Hospitals Group, the Indian healthcare powerhouse, have taken a major step towards helping bridge the digital divide in rural India by laying the foundation for the introduction of mobile health services. Telemedicine delivered using HSPA technology will enable the provision of affordable and accessible healthcare to millions of people in remote areas.

More than a million people, predominantly women and children, die each year in India because of a lack of healthcare. A further 700 million people have no access to specialist healthcare, as 80 percent of specialists live in cities. At the same time, the teledensity of India is increasing at a phenomenal rate. Telemedicine harnesses telecommunication technology to deliver healthcare and education to patients in remote regions. It enables easier access to healthcare for rural populations, helping to provide critical health information, save time and money, and reduce the need for travel.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Ericsson and ATNF will enable them to work together to educate people and to publicize, promote and implement the use of telemedicine deployed as an application over broadband-enabled mobile networks.

ATNF will provide expertise in telemedicine, in the form of applications that provide instant medical advice remotely over the network. This will increase access to quality healthcare once the HSPA network is in place, and sets the stage for the creation of a stable ecosystem, based on WCDMA/HSPA technology, to support a range of innovative services.

The initiative builds on Ericsson and Apollo’s previous collaboration in 2007 for the Gramjyoti project which showcased the benefits of mobile broadband applications across 18 villages and 15 towns in rural areas.

Mats Granryd, President of Ericsson India, says: “Mobility has proven to be a major catalyst for social and economic empowerment, and a key ingredient in helping to bridge the digital divide. Through our ongoing partnership with Apollo, we are putting an ecosystem in place to support telemedicine applications once the 3G network is deployed.”

Prathap C. Reddy, Chairman of Apollo Hospitals Group, says: “With the availability of wireless technology, mobile health will be integrated into the healthcare delivery system. The new mantra could well be ‘Healthcare for anyone, anywhere, anytime.’ In our silver jubilee year, Apollo Hospitals dedicates itself, to make mobile health a reality for everyone in India.”

This agreement is part of Ericsson’s support for the UN Millennium Development Goals, which aim to halve extreme poverty and hunger by 2015, while improving education, health and gender equality. Ericsson has been working on several initiatives to demonstrate the use of telecoms in healthcare provision.

Notes to editors:
Ericsson pioneers WCDMA/HSPA ecosystem pilot in rural India
www.ericsson.com/ericsson/press/releases/20070919-1154412.shtml

Background information on HSPA, LTE and beyond (pdf):
www.ericsson.com/ericsson/press/facts_figures/doc/hspa_lte.pdf

Press Release: Ericsson to power IPTV and mobile channels for Volvo Ocean Race

At this year’s Volvo Ocean Race viewers can keep up to date with the latest developments via live mobile TV, or through IPTV in each race village, delivered by Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC). Viewers will enjoy personalized coverage via a user-controlled camera interface offering multiple in-port race views – a breakthrough made possible by Ericsson’s world leading technology.

The Volvo Ocean Race, the world’s most grueling offshore yacht race, is held from October 2008 to June 2009. The longest journey on this round-the-world marathon is a massive 12,300 nautical mile leg between Qingdao and Rio de Janerio. In-port races will be held at stopover points in Alicante, Singapore, Qingdao, Rio de Janeiro, Boston, Galway and Stockholm.
The Ericsson powered Volvo Ocean Race service will start in October and make sure the sailing fans never have to leave the race. They can take the latest information and entertainment services with them wherever they are in the world. After the in-port segments of the Volvo Ocean Race in Alicante, Spain, viewers can use a camera selection feature to follow the boat of their choice. The service also employs first-rate features such as fast-channel switching.
Jan Wäreby, Senior Vice President and Head of Ericsson’s multimedia business, says: “With these new multimedia channels viewers will be able to enjoy a dynamic mobile experience that is personalized and interactive – anytime, anywhere and on any device. It represents the next-generation of services and puts the user in control at the center of the experience, especially during the Volvo Ocean Race.”
Andrew Ferguson, Head of Technology and New Media for the Volvo Ocean Race, says: “Ericsson’s state-of-the-art mobile technology will provide race fans with a new dimension to their online experience. Viewers can keep in touch with the race whenever and wherever they want.”
Ericsson is leading the global technology evolution that enables broadband anywhere through its one network approach. Volvo Ocean Race will be a living case study of how to deliver revenue generating next generation multimedia services from HD through to mobile. Opportunities to discuss the case study during the race can be taken at the various port stops around the world.
Notes to editors:
Ericsson’s standard multimedia content is available at the broadcast room: www.ericsson.com/broadcast_room

Ericsson is the world's leading provider of technology and services to telecom operators. The market leader in 2G and 3G mobile technologies, Ericsson supplies communications services and manages networks that serve more than 195 million subscribers. The company’s portfolio comprises mobile and fixed network infrastructure, and broadband and multimedia solutions for operators, enterprises and developers. The Sony Ericsson joint venture provides consumers with feature-rich personal mobile devices.

Ericsson is advancing its vision of ‘communication for all’ through innovation, technology, and sustainable business solutions. Working in 175 countries, more than 70,000 employees generated revenue of USD 27.9 billion (SEK 188 billion) in 2007. Founded in 1876 and headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, Ericsson is listed on OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm and NASDAQ.

PRESS RELEASE: ERICSSON AND TELEKOM MALAYSIA BERHAD COLLABORATE TO PROMOTE DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATION AND LOCAL COMPETENCE IN IMS TECHNOLOGY

Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) recently sealed a collaboration agreement with Telekom Research & Development Sdn Bhd (TM R&D), the research and development arm of  Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), to develop Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem-based (IMS) applications and to establish a pool of local experts with IMS competence in Malaysia.

This collaboration was formalised through a signing ceremony in Kuala Lumpur. Signing on behalf of TMR&D was its Chief Executive Officer, Dr Shahruddin Muslimin while Ericsson Malaysia was represented by its President and Country Manager, Krishna Kumar. The ceremony was witnessed by TM’s Chairman, Tan Sri Dato’ Ir Md Radzi Mansor, Ericsson Malaysia’s Chairman, Tan Sri Dato’ Abdul Wahab Nawi, and TMR&D’s Chairman, Mr Tan Poh Keat. Also present at the signing ceremony was TM’s Chief Executive Officer, Malaysia Business, Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa.

Through this collaboration, Ericsson will supply the equipment, solution and support required to develop a live Next Generation Network (NGN) with IMS capability, which will be used as a test bed. This joint effort aims to accelerate the development of local IMS-based applications to enable telecom service providers to deploy new and enhanced multimedia services to their customers in a rapid and cost efficient manner, while driving traffic growth in their networks. In addition, Ericsson will also provide IMS development courses for TM R&D’s researchers to develop their expertise and competencies in this new technology.  

IMS enables and drives efficient converged offerings of fixed and mobile telecom services. It enables seamless access to a wide range of new multimedia services across both fixed and mobile networks. Ericsson's IMS solution includes a converged IMS core infrastructure, application servers and service enablers for common functions that can be reused for multiple fixed and mobile applications. Ericsson is the industry leader in IMS technology with 39 signed contracts and more than 80 ongoing trials globally. 

The collaboration will enable TM R&D to design, develop and test IMS-based applications on a live network, prior to commercializing their innovations.

Dr Shahruddin Muslimin said, “It is very timely for us to develop these new multimedia services towards the enhancement of today’s digital lifestyle. Our aim is to become a dominant player in the IMS market by spurring the development of innovative IMS applications locally. We are proud to collaborate with Ericsson in this effort given their strong reputation and leadership position in IMS technology. TM R&D is also pleased to be one of the pioneering companies in this breakthrough initiative.  This alliance will definitely reinforce TM R&D’s vision to continuously leverage on technology and operational excellence to provide innovative services and solutions for today’s communications services.”

Krishna Kumar is confident that the partnership will benefit all local fixed and mobile service providers once IMS-based solutions are made available. “We are pleased to partner with TM R&D in this strategic and forward looking initiative. The ambitions and anticipated results of this program will certainly elevate Ericsson’s long-standing partnership with TM to a new level. We are committed to ensuring the success of this program by fully supporting TM R&D through close collaboration with them.”

 

“This initiative will help operators reduce time-to-market significantly and launch attractive multimedia services to generate new revenue streams for their business. At the same time, users will benefit from the new communications experience enabled by IMS, such as simultaneous use and sharing of different media (voice and data) during a phone call,” Krishna concluded. 

About Ericsson

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 www.ericsson.com

About TM R&D

TMR&D, being at the forefront for research and development activities in TM, plays a leading role for new network and leading edge technologies. This role is assumed through designing, fabrication and the state-of-the-art technologies for telecommunications industries. For further information, please visit www.tmrnd.com.my 

About TM

Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), a leading regional information and communications group, offers a comprehensive range of communication services and solutions in fixed-line, mobile, data and broadband. As one of the largest listed companies on Bursa Malaysia with an operating revenue of more than RM16 billion, TM is driven to deliver value to its stakeholders in a highly competitive environment.

The Group places emphasis on continuing customer service quality enhancements and innovations. Currently, with investments and operations in 13 countries around Asia and globally, TM is focused on sustainable growth in both the local and international markets.

For further information on TM, visit www.tm.com.my 

Press Releases: Ericsson unveils innovative ‘green’ base station site concept with Scandinavian design

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) today unveils an innovative radio base station site concept that is not only better for the environment but more cost-efficient to adopt and run, and more attractive to look at.

The modern design, from renowned Scandinavian architect Thomas Sandell, is a completely new approach to site architecture – the 5m-diameter, 40m-high flexible concrete tower encapsulates all radio base station equipment, including the antennas.

The aesthetics of the site concept, named the Ericsson Tower Tube, have been further enhanced by the choice of construction materials. The flexible concrete tower can be colored and branded to the operator’s specific needs to either blend in with its surroundings or become an attractive landmark for the local community.

And the concrete itself has a lower environmental impact than traditional steel, producing 30 percent less CO2 emissions during production and transportation.

Diverging from standard design, the radio base station is placed at the top of the tower cutting the distance between it and the antenna. This gives capacity and coverage benefits for the cellular network and can together with the fact that no active cooling is needed reduce energy consumption up to 40 percent.

Furthermore, as the new design occupies less land, 60-75 percent less than conventional sites, site acquisition is easier. Being a self-contained structure, operators can also avoid the need for security fences and the cost of maintaining and patrolling them.

Ulf Ewaldsson, Vice President and Head of Product Area Radio, Ericsson, says: “The appearance of radio base station sites has not really been considered before. They have essentially been a steel tower and a container surrounded by a chain-link fence.

“With this new approach, we not only create a more attractive look for this essential piece of community architecture, but we have also developed a design that is better for the environment and more cost-efficient to run.”

 NOTES TO EDITORS
Images will be available at: www.ericsson.com/ericsson/press/photos/index.shtml
Find more about the Ericsson Tower Tube at:
www.ericsson.com/towertube
(Will be available from15.00 CET today)

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: www.ericsson.com
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT