OXFORD, United Kingdom-Tele2, the holder of a Swedish third-generation (3G) license, has admitted that Ericsson may not be able to deliver the promised base stations in time to launch the wideband service next year. The company, which has appointed Ericsson as the exclusive supplier for 3G infrastructure, said the deployment schedule called for up to 30 antennae to be installed per day starting next year, and any delay would seriously affect its 2002 launch plans.
Executives with Tele2 have expressed doubts that 3G infrastructure developers, of which Ericsson is the largest and the winner of the majority of supply contracts, would be able to ramp up equipment production from zero to 100 percent during 2002. However, Ericsson has responded to Tele2’s concern and said that it had firm commitments with its customers and would deliver 3G systems as agreed.
