Ericsson joins forces with world leaders in underground equipment for fiber deployments

• Enables faster delivery of high-speed broadband services to consumers
• Ditch Witch and Vermeer together are the world leaders for underground equipment
• Brings new deployment capacity, construction techniques and tools to fiber projects

Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) today announced it has joined forces with world-leading underground equipment companies, Ditch Witch and Vermeer. The companies will work together to leverage recent breakthroughs in technology to bring new deployment capacity, construction techniques and tools to fiber deployments, all of which are designed specifically to support the needs of today's telecom operators.

Ditch Witch and Vermeer will provide Ericsson with equipment, expert training, and field support to create new qualified crews with the latest tools and technology.
The consumer need for high-speed broadband connectivity to operate multiple communication devices is at an all-time high. According to the Ericsson Mobility Report, the average number of connected devices per household in the U.S. in 2014 was 5.2.

The demand for fiber-optic transmission is rapidly growing to accommodate increasing bandwidth requirements driven by new applications, specifically video services. Fiber is a key component for the next generation all-optical IP network. By teaming with the world's top two equipment manufacturers and coupling them with Ericsson's world-class service offering, Ericsson can deliver unmatched scalability and startup times for its customer fiber projects.

Angel Ruiz, Head of Ericsson North America, said: "By working with industry-leaders Ditch Witch and Vermeer, Ericsson can deliver both the network design expertise and the quality fiber deployment services at the scale needed to meet the need of our North American customers. This makes Ericsson extremely unique in the industry."

Dennis Wierzbicki, President of the Ditch Witch organization, said: "Ditch Witch and its strong dealer network are looking forward to partnering with Ericsson by providing innovative equipment, service and support. This builds upon our organization's commitment to customers that We're in This Together."

Jason Andringa, Vermeer Corporation COO and third-generation leader of the family owned company, said: "Vermeer shares many values with Ericsson. Our team looks forward to working with them to bring the next-generation of connectivity online."

Building fiber-optic networks is capital intensive and requires careful planning and project execution. Ericsson's Fiber Network Deployment solution offers a full range of professional services, securing the lowest total cost of ownership for the network, while at the same time enabling new revenue-generating media services.
Ericsson's Fiber Network Deployment solutions consist of comprehensive end-to-end solutions that span from planning and design of the network through the full implementation phase.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Download high-resolution photos and broadcast-quality video at www.ericsson.com/press

About the Ditch Witch^® Organization

Ditch Witch, a Charles Machine Works Company, invented the underground utility construction industry, and today it designs, manufactures and markets the most complete line of directional drills, drill pipe, HDD tooling, vacuum excavators, trenchers, chain, teeth and sprockets, mini-skid steers and vibratory plows. Handcrafted in the USA, its products are supported by the Ditch Witch dealer network with over 175 locations worldwide.

About Vermeer

Vermeer Corporation delivers a real impact in a progressing world through the manufacture of high-quality agricultural, underground construction, surface mining, tree care and environmental equipment. With a reputation for durability and reliability, that equipment is backed by localized customer service and support provided by independent dealers around the world. To learn about Vermeer Corporation, products, the dealer network and financing options, visit vermeer.com.

About Ericsson

Ericsson is the driving force behind the Networked Society - a world leader in communications technology and services. Our long-term relationships with every major telecom operator in the world allow people, business and society to fulfill their potential and create a more sustainable future.

Our services, software and infrastructure - especially in mobility, broadband and the cloud - are enabling the telecom industry and other sectors to do better business, increase efficiency, improve the user experience and capture new opportunities.

With approximately 115,000 professionals and customers in 180 countries, we combine global scale with technology and services leadership. We support networks that connect more than 2.5 billion subscribers. Forty percent of the world's mobile traffic is carried over Ericsson networks. And our investments in research and development ensure that our solutions - and our customers - stay in front.

Founded in 1876, Ericsson has its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. Net sales in 2014 were SEK 228.0 billion (USD 33.1 billion). Ericsson is listed on Nasdaq OMX stock exchange in Stockholm and the NASDAQ in New York.

www.ericsson.com 
www.ericsson.com/news
www.twitter.com/ericssonpress
www.facebook.com/ericsson
www.youtube.com/ericsson

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

Ericsson Corporate Communications
Phone: +46 10 719 69 92
E-mail: media.relations@ericsson.com

Ericsson Media Relations North America
Jimmy Duvall
Phone: +1 972-583-5282
E-mail: jimmy.duvall@ericsson.com

Ericsson Investor Relations
Phone: +46 10 719 00 00
E-mail: investor.relations@ericsson.com