June 22, 2000: GSA, the Global mobile Suppliers Association, today congratulated telecommunications regulator Anatel, on its decision to allocate 1800 MHz spectrum for Personal Communication Services in Brazil. The decision reserves the alternative 1900 MHz frequency band for "third generation" mobile services based on the International Telecommunications Union's IMT 2000 standards.

Alan Hadden, President of GSA said, "Anatel's decision on spectrum allocation will allow Brazil to meet its current burgeoning demand for mobile services and ensures the country can take advantage of forthcoming third generation wireless internet technologies. In opting for GSM 1800 for PCS and opening the door to future IMT 2000 services, the regulator is also recognising that an international dimension is increasingly important to mobile users. Anatel is to be congratulated on its long-term strategic thinking."

Anatel's choice of the 1800 MHz band for PCS, will give Brazilian operators the opportunity to acquire GSM network infrastructure "off-the-shelf" from a broad range of suppliers, several of whom already manufacture in Brazil.

"GSM has unrivalled economies of scale, leading edge performance and market-leading capabilities that directly benefit operators and their customers through lower investment costs, fastest payback and competitive differentiation in the marketplace. GSA, as the organisation that represents leading GSM suppliers worldwide is delighted with the success that has followed its active role in bringing these advantages to the attention of Anatel," said Hadden.

Brazil joins Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Venezuela, among Latin American countries to adopt GSM. The expanding GSM footprint in Latin America will further highlight the value of GSM's inherent international roaming capability that now spans nearly 150 countries and generates 750 million calls each month. GSM has in excess of 311 million customers worldwide.