ERICSSON announced that it signed a US$50 million GSM network expansion contract with Hebei Mobile Communication Co Ltd in North China's Hebei Province, December 1. Under the contract, Ericsson will supply high quality network equipment and professional services to Hebei Mobile.

　　As the world's leading provider of mobile communications solutions, Ericsson entered into partnership with Hebei Mobile at the very beginning of the mobile communication age in China. It helped Hebei mobile build the first mobile communications system in 1987.

　　"Considering the rapid growth of the mobile communications business, we expect this expansion will enable our GSM/GPRS network to support more new high-speed applications and services," said Zhang Liande, general manager of Hebei Mobile.

　　In 2004, Ericsson started to provide Hebei Mobile with systems and solutions in areas like GPRS, LMDS, Mini-Link and TEMS.