• Telenor's customers will be able to enjoy HD voice over LTE, richer communication services and Wi-Fi calling
• Ericsson to be sole supplier for full-scope solution for core network upgrade
• Ericsson professional turnkey solutions will modernize existing services and enable future richer services

Telenor Sweden has chosen Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) as the sole supplier for a full-scale upgrade of the operator's core network, enabling voice over LTE (VoLTE), Wi-Fi calling and richer communication services experience to its customers.

Part of a five-year deal, the rollout will begin in the third quarter of 2015 with Ericsson implementing a full suite of products and services which will enable Telenor to offer HD voice and simultaneous surfing over LTE networks and richer communication experiences. With Wi-Fi calling, users will be able to use the operator voice service over their own home Wi-Fi access point, if cellular coverage is poor in their homes.

The core network upgrade will ensure that the high quality of services enjoyed by Telenor's subscribers will be maintained as the operator migrates the network towards the platforms of the future.

With almost two and a half million mobile subscribers, Telenor is one of the largest operators in Sweden, and under the terms of the agreement their user data subscriber architecture will also be upgraded to a more secure, reliable and simpler structure.

Stefan Jäverbring, CTO Telenor Sverige AB, says: "Ericsson's comprehensive portfolio and expertise will be a great asset to us as we upgrade our core network. The flexibility and scalability of the services deployed is just as important as their performance, and we believe this will provide an excellent platform for Telenor as we build Sweden's leading mobile network."

Charlotta Sund, Head of Ericsson's Region Northern Europe and Central Asia, says: "Telenor's choice of Ericsson as sole supplier is a strong signal of confidence in our ability to deliver comprehensive solutions that satisfy customers in a fast-changing marketplace. Our solutions and global expertise will support Telenor Sverige in their mission to secure superior network performance, to deliver seamless services and consequently providing the best customer experience. We look forward to continuing the long and fruitful relationship we have with Telenor as we help them deliver richer communications services to their customers."

The deal includes Ericsson IMS to enable voice over LTE, Wi-Fi calling and Rich Communications Services, Wi-Fi Mobility Gateway, User Data Consolidation, Mobile Softswitch Solution, and related system integration services.

Ericsson is the IMS market leader, and has supported the majority of all globally launched VoLTE networks.