Ericsson in network deal with AT&T

(AP) — Swedish wireless equipment maker LM Ericsson AB on Wednesday said it has signed a deal to supply telecoms group AT&T Inc. with equipment and services to build a fourth-generation mobile broadband network in the United States.

Under the multiyear agreement, of which the value was not disclosed, Stockholm-headquartered Ericsson said it will be the key supplier of materials related to the rollout of the 4G technology Long Term Evolution, or LTE, network. It will also deliver services including design and deployment.

Ericsson said rollout will be nationwide, but declined to give any geographic specifics.

Field trials of the technology is planned for later this year, and commercial deployment is scheduled to start in 2011, it said.