27 December, 2004: Ericsson has signed a managed services contract with Spanish fixed line operator Auna. Ericsson has also announced the strategic acquisition of Enditel, a Spanish telecom services provider and a supplier to Auna and other customers. The five-year managed services contract includes day-to-day management of field operations for Aunas' network.

Auna serves the Spanish fixed line consumers and its network consists of infrastructure from several vendors. The managed services agreement means that Ericsson will take on a number of field operations experts from Auna, which will strengthen Ericsson's delivery forces in Spain. In addition Ericsson acquires Enditel, a local telecom services provider for both operators and enterprises. Enditel is a provider of telecom services to Auna and other customers today, and Ericsson will take on its ongoing customer commitments.

Since 2003, Ericsson has successfully managed day-to-day field services for the mobile network of Amena, the mobile telecommunications company of the Auna Group in Spain. The acquisition of Enditel reinforces Ericsson's focus on growing its services business in Spain. Enditel has worked closely with Auna in securing quality of network and consumer service performance.

www.ericsson.com