Natrindo, Ericsson sign deal

Natrindo, Ericsson sign deal

HONG KONG (AFX-ASIA): AcrossAsia Multimedia Ltd said its unit
PT Natrindo Telepon Seluler has entered into a HK$130 million GSM
1800 cellular network supply agreement with Ericsson to cover
East Java Indonesia.

In a statement, the company said the deal will enable Natrindo
to launch the GSM network services in East Java by the first
quarter of next year.

Natrindo has been awarded a cellular licence to provide
cellular phone services in East Jaya, covering 35 million people.

Ericsson will supply a GSM 1800 network, including optional
GPRS upgrade, as well as network integration and system support
services, the statement said.

Natrindo president and chief executive Michael Chow said the
company plans to be a leader in the national wireless platform
for internet and telephony within the next three years.

"Natrindo plans to accelerate its first-phase launch and roll
out the service by the first quarter of 2001. In the second and
third phases, Natrindo aims to provide services to 95 percent of
the East Java population by third quarter 2002," he said.