Optimus, a mobile operator within the Portuguese Sonaecom group, has chosen Ericsson's IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) for the delivery of new multimedia and converged services. Ericsson will also enhance the Optimus 3G network with its market-leading mobile softswitch and HSDPA solutions.

Optimus has taken an important step towards an all-IP network by enhancing its 2G/3G network with Ericsson's mobile softswitch and IMS solutions. Ericsson's IMS solution will enable Optimus to deliver a wide range of new multimedia services such as weShare, which allows users to share different media - including pictures and video clips - during a voice call. The solution will also reduce the costs of network ownership and shorten time-to-market when Optimus introduces new services.

Introduction of HSDPA into the Optimus network will allow the operator to offer high-speed mobile broadband to its customers, while more than doubling system capacity and shortening the response time for interactive services.

Luis Reis, Chief Operating Officer, Sonaecom, says: "This agreement provides us with the foundation for advanced and converged services, and enhances our customers' communication experience. We believe mobile broadband services will have a strong uptake and HSDPA is a key enabler for making these services successful in a mass market context."