NCC and Hi3G sign agreement regarding 3G build-out in Sweden

12/13/2001 2:31 AM EST

NCC has entered into an agreement with telecom operator Hi3G regarding
the build-out of infrastructur for the third-generation mobile
telecommunication networks (3G). The agreement covers the construction
of at least 500 base stations in Sweden. This is the third agreement
with 3G operators that NCC has secured since May this year.

The agreement with Hi3G applies to a turnkey contract covering project
management, site procurement, project design, construction and telecom
installations for at least 500 base stations in Stockholm, Gothenburg
and Malmö. Work has already begun.

The parties have agreed not to divulge the value of the order.

NCC has been active in the telecom sector for more than ten years. In
the segment for 3G build-out in Sweden, NCC has been cooperating with
telecom operators Tele2 and 3GIS since earlier this year.

"We are the construction company that has made the most progress to date
in terms of construction assignments for third-generation mobile
telecommunication networks. We consider it highly gratifying and
stimulating that we will be building the infrastructure of the future
and that we will be doing this in cooperation with three established
major operators," says Maged Saleh, Business Unit Manager NCC Telecom
Sweden.

"We intent to work with leading construction companies and NCC is a
natural choice as partner. This cooperation is an important part of the
rollout of the infrastructure that is needed for our future service
offering," says Chris Bannister, CEO Hi3G.

For further information, please contact:

Maged Saleh, Business Unit Manager, NCC Telecom Sweden,
tel +46 70 771 54 01

Gisela Lindstrand, Press Relation Manager NCC AB, tel +46 70 392 9500

Niclas Lilja, Director Communications, Hi3G, tel +46 7 33 55 70 90

Jörgen Askeroth, CTO Hi3G, tel +46 7 33 55 70 30

NCC is one of the leading construction and property development
companies in the Nordic region. NCC has annual sales of approximately
SEK 40 billion, with 25,000 employees. All of NCC's press releases are
available on www.ncc.se

Hi3G is the holder of a Swedish and a Danish UMTS. Hi3G is expanding
rapidly with the support of its owners, Hutchison Whampoa Ltd. (60%) and
Investor AB (40%), who have solid network and industry track records
worldwide. Please stay in touch and visit www.hi3gaccess.se.