Ericsson Airs First Mobile Multimedia Technology

Media Release - EMBARGO Thursday 3 February 12 noon

ERICSSON AIRS FIRST MOBILE MULTIMEDIA TECHNOLOGY IN NEW ZEALAND

Amid a flurry of announcements about plans to introduce internet services for people on the move, Ericsson today announced it will be first to bring truly mobile multimedia cellular technology to New Zealand.

Speaking at the "On Air" Symposium in Auckland today, Ericsson's Managing Director for New Zealand, Goran Olsson, announced the arrival later this month, of a mobile multimedia trial system.

“While on the move, the mobile equipment will be able to receive and transmit data at up to 472 kbps, which is around 50 times faster than current digital mobile phones. It will be the first working mobile multimedia system in Australasia,” Mr Olsson said.

The mobile multimedia equipment will also demonstrate video-conferencing using the new video standard MPEG-4, optimised by an Ericsson encoder developed for real-time use. This means that the vision of mobile videophones is now a reality.

The system follows-up Ericsson "On Air", a global Symposium providing information and insight into so-called 3rd Generation mobile communications (3G).

Focusing on the power of mobility, the event explores the way in which mobile communications, particularly mobile internet, will affect our daily lives.

The Symposium included interviews with leading operators, advisors and content providers from around the world. The interviews demonstrated how the technology is already influencing multinationals such as Ernst & Young, Microsoft, Lycos and Reuters.

“Mobile telephony allowed us to talk on the move. The internet turned data into services. Now, the two are combined to create mobile multimedia services that will become our personalised window on the world,” Mr Olsson said.

Services that have driven the development of mobile multimedia and the 3G systems, include entertainment services such as on-demand music and video, entertainment guides, electronic ticketing and also access to databases covering every conceivable service a person would like to access on the move.

Changes to the way we shop will progress further with mobile e-commerce. Ericsson’s Wireless Wallet prototype is a smart card based service which uses short range radio connections to enable payment, identification, and account enquiries without the need for external card readers.

Travel will also be revolutionised. Mobile internet will allow people to make and modify travel plans, check availability, and even find their way around unfamiliar places with online maps.

“These services are fast becoming a reality, they are not just science fiction. The Symposium illustrates that mobile multimedia using 3G cellular technology is happening now,” explained Mr Olsson.

Ericsson introduced New Zealand's first wireless internet network in 1997. Based on CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet Data), this system is currently being used to transmit critical race data in the America’s Cup event.

The company brought mobile internet applications another step closer with the recent launch of www.E-Zebra.net, an initiative to facilitate the development of mobile internet in New Zealand.

According to Mr Olsson, New Zealanders are well positioned for the implementation of mobile multimedia due to their adaptive culture regarding technology. Currently, over 30% of the population own a mobile phone and there are 480,000 internet subscribers.

Ericsson is the leading provider in the new telecoms world, with communications solutions that combine telecom and datacom technologies with freedom of mobility for the user. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for its customers – network operators, service providers, enterprises and consumers – the world over. Please visit Ericsson’s Press Room at: http://www.ericsson.co.nz

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