Device Arena

Ericsson was today selected as successful bidder to acquire certain assets of the Carrier Networks division of Nortel relating to Nortel’s GSM business in the US and Canada. The purchase is structured as an asset sale at a cash purchase price of USD 70 million on a cash and debt free basis, subject to adjustments. This announcement follows the completion of the auction process initiated by Nortel, and the transaction is subject to approval by courts in the US and Canada and customary regulatory approvals and other conditions.

Ericsson’s bid for Nortel’s GSM assets was made together with Kapsch CarrierCom AG of Austria. Under the agreements, Ericsson is acquiring certain assets of Nortel’s GSM business in North America while Kapsch is paying USD 33 million to acquire most of the remaining assets outside North America.

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Ericsson has withdrawn its complaint to the European Commission regarding Qualcomm’s WCDMA (3G) licensing activities. The company will, however, continue its ongoing dialogue with competition authorities around the world in relation to Qualcomm’s licensing practices. Ericsson’s goal remains the same: To ensure a robust, enforceable and fair IPR regime for standards, particularly those relating to 3G and 4G wireless technologies.

In October 2005, Ericsson, Nokia, Broadcom, Panasonic, NEC and Texas Instruments filed coordinated complaints alleging that Qualcomm was both violating antitrust laws and breaching its own commitments to standard-setting bodies to license its declared essential patents on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms. In support of these complaints, the companies have filed substantial economic evidence that Qualcomm’s conduct has caused mobile phone users to pay billions of Euros in unnecessary costs.

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In countries with limited access to fixed networks, where demand for broadband is strong and the mobile phone is the most affordable way to access the internet, Ericsson’s (NASDAQ:ERIC) EDGE Evolution presents subscribers with a great opportunity. This shortcut to mobile broadband adds 3G capabilities to GSM networks, significantly reduces delays and can increase data speeds by up to 300 percent. A potential market of 4 billion GSM users could soon enjoy internet browsing, access to social networks, and other multimedia content via their mobile phones.

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Swedish broadcaster TV4 Group has selected Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) to operate its nationwide playout services as part of a ten-year contract. In addition, Ericsson and TV4 Group will establish a joint technology and business development forum.

TV4 Group has chosen Ericsson to run the day-to-day transmission of its TV channels for delivery to service providers. This will improve efficiency and enable TV4 to focus on its core business.
“Through this contract between TV4 Group and Ericsson, we are securing our playout services and technical development for many years to come,” says Jan Scherman, CEO of the TV4 Group. “The partnership also means that we will jointly develop the TV solutions of the future with Ericsson, a leading telecom and multimedia vendor. This will be beneficial for both companies.”

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Ericsson’s in-coming President and CEO has appointed its CTO Håkan Eriksson to head Ericsson in Silicon Valley, the center of the company’s important IP business. Håkan Eriksson will lead the work to further enhance Ericsson’s global position when fixed, mobile and internet converge.

Over the past few years Ericsson has further strengthened its position in IP and broadband by acquiring leading IP companies, headquartered in Silicon Valley. Håkan Eriksson will succeed Bert Nordberg, newly appointed President of Sony Ericsson, who has headed the successful integration of these companies.
Hans Vestberg, in-coming President and CEO says: “Håkan Eriksson is the telecom industry’s leading CTO and his experience as well as managerial skills will secure our continued transformation to an IP-based company.”

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