High Tech Export Rises To $60 Million

Ericsson in New Zealand has this week received another NZ$24 million order from Telecom Poland for one of its innovative Internet devices, HiS, boosting total export sales of this product to over $60 million this year.

Designed by Ericsson's R&D facility in Napier, HiS (Home Internet Solution) provides users with simultaneous access to the Internet and telephone lines.

HiS is obviously hitting the right note with Telecom Poland. Just last month members of Telecom Poland's board of directors were in New Zealand to sign a NZ$6 million deal, making it the biggest buyer of HiS technology to date.

According to Brian Phillips, Ericsson's general manager of Solutions and Services, HiS is fulfilling a growing market's hunger to be on the net.

"Put simply, Polish people want to be online and this is driving new business opportunities for Telecom Poland. HiS is providing the right solution for both parties as it is practical, cost effective and innovative," says Mr Phillips.

HiS gives PC users access to the Internet and their telephones simultaneously using just one line, meaning they can talk on the phone while surfing the net.

Although not currently available in New Zealand, HiS can run on existing telephone lines, at around four times the speed of a typical modem. Because it is always "on" the user doesn't have to "dial-up" giving continuous, high-speed Internet access.

"The other advantage of HiS to operators like Telecom Poland is that it can use HiS on its existing copper investment, reducing the capital expenditure needed to get customers "online". The technology also reaches 95% of the market, instantly removing data congestion from the voice network," says Mr Phillips.

Shortly after its initial development in 1997, HiS won a New Zealand Electronic Product Excellence Award for innovation and export potential. The Napier team has now progressed onto the second phase of HiS design.

Last year HiS also won the "Most Desirable Product" award at a communications fair in Poland.

HiS is currently being trialed in Malaysia with sales pending. Ericsson is the leading communications supplier, combining innovation in mobility and Internet in creating the new era of mobile Internet. Ericsson provides total solutions covering everything from systems and applications to mobile phones and other communications tools. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for customers all over the world.

ends

© Scoop Media