Editing Ericsson (section)

==History==
===Foundation===
[[File:Swedish inventor Lars Magnus Ericsson.jpg|thumb|left|Lars Magnus Ericsson]]

[[Lars Magnus Ericsson]] began his association with telephones in his youth as an instrument maker. He worked for a firm that made [[telegraph]] equipment for the Swedish government agency [[Televerket (Sweden)|Telegrafverket]]. In 1876, at the age of 30, he started a telegraph repair shop with help from his friend [[Carl Johan Andersson]] in central [[Stockholm]] and repaired foreign-made telephones. In 1878, Ericsson began making and selling his own telephone equipment. His telephones were not technically innovative. In 1878, he agreed  to supply telephones and switchboards to Sweden's first telecommunications operating company, Stockholms Allmänna Telefonaktiebolag.<ref name="history" />

===International expansion===
[[File:Thinktank Birmingham - object 1961S01536.00001(1).jpg|thumb|upright|An early, wooden, Ericsson telephone, made by the Ericsson Telephone Co. Ltd., of [[Nottingham]], England, it is now in the collection of [[Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum]].]]

As production grew in the late 1890s, and the Swedish market seemed to be reaching saturation, Ericsson expanded into foreign markets through a number of agents. The UK ([[Ericsson Telephones Ltd.]]) and Russia were early markets, where factories were later established to improve the chances of gaining local contracts and augment the output of the Swedish factory. In the UK, the [[National Telephone Company]] was a major customer; by 1897 sold 28% of its output in the UK. The Nordic countries were also Ericsson customers; they were encouraged by the growth of telephone services in Sweden.<ref name="history" />

Other countries and colonies were exposed to Ericsson products through the influence of their parent countries. These included Australia and New Zealand, which by the late 1890s were Ericsson's largest non-European markets. [[Mass production]] techniques were now firmly established; telephones were losing some of their ornate finish and decoration.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.telephonecollecting.org/Bobs%20phones/Pages/SwedEricsson/EricssonCradles.htm |title=Ericsson Cradles |website=Bobs Phones Page |access-date=1 September 2016 |archive-date=20 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020163402/http://www.telephonecollecting.org/Bobs%20phones/Pages/SwedEricsson/EricssonCradles.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Despite their successes elsewhere, Ericsson did not make significant sales in the United States. [[AT&T]]’s [[Western Electric|Western Electric Company]] (via the [[Bell System]]), [[KBR (company)|Kellogg]] and [[Automatic Electric]] dominated the market. Ericsson eventually sold its U.S. assets. Sales in Mexico led to inroads into South American countries. South Africa and China were also generating significant sales. With his company now multinational, Lars Ericsson stepped down from the company in 1901.

===Automatic equipment===
[[File:Ericsson telefonplan 20050902 001.jpg|thumb|The LM Ericsson building, the company's former headquarters at [[Telefonplan]] in Stockholm]]
Ericsson ignored the growth of [[automatic telephony]] in the United States and concentrated on manual exchange designs. Their first dial telephone was produced in 1921, although sales of the early automatic switching systems were slow until the equipment had proven itself on the world's markets. Telephones of this period had a simpler design and finish, and many of the early automatic desk telephones in Ericsson's catalogues were magneto styles with a dial on the front and appropriate changes to the electronics. Elaborate decals decorated the cases.<ref name="history" /> [[World War I]], the subsequent [[Great Depression]] and the loss of its Russian assets after the [[Russian Revolution (1917)|Revolution]] slowed the company's development while sales to other countries fell by about half.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ericsson.com/en/about-us/history/company/the-consequences-of-expansion/ericsson-and-the-great-depression|title=1931|date=2016-08-30|website=Ericsson.com|language=en|access-date=2019-01-18|archive-date=19 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119122655/https://www.ericsson.com/en/about-us/history/company/the-consequences-of-expansion/ericsson-and-the-great-depression|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Shareholding changes===
The acquisition of other telecommunications companies put pressure on Ericsson's finances; in 1925, [[Karl Fredric Wincrantz]] took control of the company by acquiring most of the shares. Wincrantz was partly funded by [[Ivar Kreuger]], an international financier. The company was renamed ''Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson''. Kreuger started showing interest in the company, being a major owner of Wincrantz holding companies.<ref name="history" />

===Wallenberg era begins===
Ericsson was saved from bankruptcy and closure with the help of banks including [[Stockholms Enskilda Bank]] (now [[Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken]]) and other Swedish investment banks controlled by the [[Wallenberg family]], and some Swedish government backing. [[Marcus Wallenberg Jr.]] negotiated a deal with several Swedish banks to rebuild Ericsson financially. The banks gradually increased their possession of LM Ericsson "A" shares, while [[ITT Inc.|International Telephone & Telegraph]] (ITT) was still the largest shareholder. In 1960, the Wallenberg family bought ITT's shares in Ericsson, and has since controlled the company.<ref name="history" />

===Market development===
[[File:Ericsson bakelittelefon 1931 sv.jpg|thumb|The Ericsson DBH1001 (1931) was the first combined telephone set with a housing and handset made from Bakelite. The design is attributed to Jean Heiberg.]]
[[File:Ericsson 1950s bakelite telephone.jpg|thumb|The Ericsson DBH15 telephone, a successor of the DBH 1001 and redesigned in 1947 by Gerard Kiljan]]

In the 1920s and 1930s, the world telephone markets were being organized and stabilized by many governments. The fragmented town-by-town systems serviced by small, private companies that had evolved were integrated and offered for lease to a single company. Ericsson obtained some leases, which represented further sales of equipment to the growing networks. Ericsson got almost one-third of its sales under the control of its telephone operating companies.<ref name="history" />

===Further development===
Ericsson introduced the world's first fully automatic mobile telephone system, [[MTD (mobile network)#MTA|MTA]], in 1956.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cellular-news.com/story/19883.php |title=Ericsson Celebrates 50 Years of Mobile Telephony |website=Cellular-news.com |date=17 October 2006 |access-date=9 October 2011 |archive-date=20 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720130806/http://www.cellular-news.com/story/19883.php |url-status=live }}</ref> It released one of the world's first hands-free speaker telephones in the 1960s. In 1954, it released the [[Ericofon]]. Ericsson [[crossbar switching]] equipment was used in telephone administrations in many countries.<ref name="The Economist 1964 p. 1028">{{cite book | title=The Economist | publisher=Economist Newspaper Limited | issue=v. 211, no. 2 | year=1964 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kte7AAAAIAAJ | access-date=4 May 2019 | page=1028 | quote=... that are visible in Ericsson telephones have also been applied to the continuing improvement of high speed switching ... Ericsson crossbar systems are now standard equipment in many countries. | archive-date=4 July 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704152531/https://books.google.com/books?id=Kte7AAAAIAAJ | url-status=live }}</ref> In 1983 the company introduced the [[ERIPAX]] suite of network products and services.

===Emergence of the Internet (1995–2003)===
In the 1990s, during the emergence of the Internet, Ericsson was regarded as slow to realize its potential and falling behind in the area of IP technology.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Internet and the New World|url=http://www.ericssonhistory.com/changing-the-world/Big-bang/The-internet-and-the-new-world-/|website=History of Ericsson|date=18 September 2019|access-date=7 July 2014|archive-date=24 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324062923/http://ericssonhistory.com/changing-the-world/big-bang/the-internet-and-the-new-world-/|url-status=live}}</ref> But the company had established an Internet project in 1995 called Infocom Systems to exploit opportunities leading from fixed-line telecom and IT. CEO Lars Ramqvist wrote in the 1996 annual report that in all three of its business areas – Mobile Telephones and Terminals, Mobile Systems, and Infocom Systems – "we will expand our operations as they relate to customer service and Internet Protocol (IP) access (Internet and intranet access)".<ref name="ericsson.com">{{cite web|title=Annual Report 1996|website=Ericsson|url=https://www.ericsson.com/assets/local/investors/documents/financial-reports-and-filings/annual-reports/annualreport1996_en.pdf|access-date=27 October 2017|archive-date=27 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027181812/https://www.ericsson.com/assets/local/investors/documents/financial-reports-and-filings/annual-reports/annualreport1996_en.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Ericsson mobil.jpg|thumb|left|200px|An [[Ericsson GH337]] (1995) and [[Ericsson T28]] (1999) mobile phones]]
The growth of [[GSM]], which became a ''de facto'' world standard, combined with Ericsson's other mobile standards, such as [[D-AMPS]] and [[Personal Digital Cellular|PDC]], meant that by the start of 1997, Ericsson had an estimated 40% share of the world's mobile market, with around 54 million subscribers. There were also around 188&nbsp;million [[AXE telephone exchange|AXE]] lines in place or on order in 117 countries.<ref name="ericsson.com" /> Telecom and chip companies worked in the 1990s to provide Internet access over mobile telephones. Early versions such as [[Wireless Application Protocol]] (WAP) used packet data over the existing GSM network, in a form known as [[GPRS]] (General Packet Radio Service), but these services, known as 2.5G, were fairly rudimentary and did not achieve much mass-market success.{{citation needed|date=January 2016}}

The [[International Telecommunication Union]] (ITU) had prepared the specifications for a [[3G]] mobile service that included several technologies. Ericsson pushed hard for the [[WCDMA]] (wideband [[Code division multiple access|CDMA]]) form based on the GSM standard and began testing it in 1996. Japanese operator [[NTT Docomo]] signed deals to partner with Ericsson and [[Nokia]], who came together in 1997 to support WCDMA over rival standards. DoCoMo was the first operator with a live 3G network, using its own version of WCDMA called [[FOMA]]. Ericsson was a significant developer of the WCDMA version of GSM, while US-based chip developer [[Qualcomm]] promoted the alternative system [[CDMA2000]], building on the popularity of CDMA in the US market. This resulted in a patent infringement lawsuit that was resolved in March 1999<ref>{{cite web|title=Ericsson/Qualcomm bitter feud ends|date=29 March 1999|first=Nancy|last=Gohring|url=http://connectedplanetonline.com/mag/telecom_ericssonqualcomm_bitter_feud/|website=Connected Planet|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109040128/http://connectedplanetonline.com/mag/telecom_ericssonqualcomm_bitter_feud|archive-date=9 January 2014}}</ref> when the two companies agreed to pay each other royalties for the use of their respective technologies and Ericsson purchased Qualcomm's wireless infrastructure business and some R&D resources.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|title=Short Take: Qualcomm, Ericsson finalize CDMA agreement |url=http://news.cnet.com/Short-Take-Qualcomm,-Ericsson-finalize-CDMA-agreement/2110-1033_3-226260.html |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20171018160816/https://www.cnet.com/news/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2017-10-18 |work=[[CNET]] }}</ref>

Ericsson issued a profit warning in March 2001. Over the coming year, sales to operators halved.<ref>{{cite web|title=Crisis|url=http://www.ericssonhistory.com/changing-the-world/Big-bang/Crisis/|website=History of Ericsson|date=18 September 2019|access-date=7 July 2014|archive-date=21 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521155014/http://www.ericssonhistory.com/changing-the-world/Big-bang/Crisis/|url-status=live}}</ref> Mobile telephones became a burden; the company's telephones unit made a loss of SEK 24 billion in 2000. A fire in a Philips chip factory in New Mexico in March 2000 caused severe disruption to Ericsson's phone production,<ref>{{cite web|title=The Fire That Changed an Industry: A Case Study on Thriving in a Networked World|date=1 October 2008|first=Amit S.|last=Mukherjee|url=http://www.ftpress.com/articles/article.aspx?p=1244469|website=FT Press|access-date=7 July 2014|archive-date=5 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605010725/http://www.ftpress.com/articles/article.aspx?p=1244469|url-status=dead}}</ref> dealing a ''coup de grâce'' to Ericsson's mobile phone hopes. Mobile phones would be spun off into a joint venture with Sony, [[Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications]], in October 2001.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.cision.com/ericsson/r/sony-ericsson-mobile-communications-established-today,c48602 |title=Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications established today – Ericsson |website=News.cision.com |date=2001-10-01 |access-date=2016-11-11 |archive-date=25 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225181856/http://news.cision.com/ericsson/r/sony-ericsson-mobile-communications-established-today,c48602 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Ericsson launched several rounds of restructuring, refinancing and job-cutting; during 2001, staff numbers fell from 107,000 to 85,000.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Svenolof Karlsson |author2=Anders Lugn |url=http://www.ericssonhistory.com/changing-the-world/Big-bang/The-first-cutbacks/ |title=The first cutbacks |date=18 August 2016 |publisher=Ericsson History |access-date=2016-11-11 |archive-date=12 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112020031/http://www.ericssonhistory.com/changing-the-world/Big-bang/The-first-cutbacks/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A further 20,000 went the next year,<ref>{{cite web |author1=Svenolof Karlsson |author2=Anders Lugn |url=http://www.ericssonhistory.com/changing-the-world/Big-bang/Second-round-of-cuts-/ |title=Second round of cuts |date=18 August 2016 |publisher=Ericsson History |access-date=2016-11-11 |archive-date=12 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112022013/http://www.ericssonhistory.com/changing-the-world/Big-bang/Second-round-of-cuts-/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and 11,000 more in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Svenolof Karlsson |author2=Anders Lugn |url=http://www.ericssonhistory.com/changing-the-world/Big-bang/A-new-chairman-of-the-board/ |title=A new chairman of the board |date=18 August 2016 |publisher=Ericsson History |access-date=2016-11-11 |archive-date=12 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112015508/http://www.ericssonhistory.com/changing-the-world/Big-bang/A-new-chairman-of-the-board/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A new rights issue raised SEK 30&nbsp;billion to keep the company afloat. The company had survived as mobile Internet started growing. With record profits, it was in better shape than many of its competitors.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Svenolof Karlsson |author2=Anders Lugn |url=http://www.ericssonhistory.com/changing-the-world/Everyone-on-board/Record-profits/ |title=Record profits |date=18 August 2016 |publisher=Ericsson History |access-date=2016-11-11 |archive-date=25 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325050535/http://ericssonhistory.com/changing-the-world/everyone-on-board/record-profits/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Rebuilding and growing (2003–2018)===
The emergence of full mobile Internet began a period of growth for the global telecom industry, including Ericsson. After the launch of 3G services in 2003,<ref>{{cite news |last=Pike |first=Rebecca |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/2856127.stm |title=Business &#124; Italians pick up first 3G mobile phones |work=BBC News |date=2003-03-17 |access-date=2016-11-11 |archive-date=2 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602081806/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/2856127.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/2808761.stm |title=Technology &#124; 3G goes live in the UK |work=BBC News |date=2003-03-03 |access-date=2016-11-11 |archive-date=2 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602065440/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/2808761.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> people started to access the Internet using their telephones.

Ericsson was working on ways to improve [[WCDMA]] as operators were buying and rolling it out; it was the first generation of 3G access. New advances included IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) and the next evolution of WCDMA, called [[High-Speed Packet Access]] (HSPA). It was initially deployed in the download version called [[HSDPA]]; the technology spread from the first test calls in the US in late 2005<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.phonescoop.com/articles/article.php?a=1050 |title=Cingular HSDPA Test Successful |publisher=Phone Scoop |date=2005-01-04 |access-date=2016-11-11 |archive-date=12 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112040815/http://www.phonescoop.com/articles/article.php?a=1050 |url-status=live }}</ref> to 59 commercial networks in September 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ericsson.com/ericsson/corpinfo/publications/review/2006_03/06.shtml |title=HSDPA performance and evolution |publisher=Ericsson |access-date=2016-11-11 |archive-date=22 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222013506/https://www.ericsson.com/ericsson/corpinfo/publications/review/2006_03/06.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> HSPA would provide the world's first mobile broadband.

In July 2016, [[Hans Vestberg]] stepped down as Ericsson's CEO after heading the company for six years. Jan Frykhammar, who had been working for the company since 1991 stepped in as interim CEO while Ericsson searched for a full-time replacement.<ref>Brian Heater, TechCrunch. "[https://techcrunch.com/2016/07/25/ericsson-ceo/ Ericsson's CEO steps down as the company begins search for a replacement] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618170133/https://techcrunch.com/2016/07/25/ericsson-ceo/ |date=18 June 2018 }}." 25 July 2016. 25 July 2016.</ref> On 16 January 2017, following Ericsson's announcement on 26 October 2016, new CEO [[Börje Ekholm]] started and interim CEO Jan Frykhammar stepped down the following day.<ref>Ericsson AB. "[https://www.ericsson.com/news/2051527 Ericsson's Board names Börje Ekholm new President and CEO] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027144847/https://www.ericsson.com/news/2051527 |date=27 October 2016 }}." 26 October 2016. 26 October 2016.</ref>

In June 2018, Ericsson, Inc. and Ericsson AB have agreed to pay $145,893 to settle potential civil liability for an apparent violation of the [[International Emergency Economic Powers Act]] (IEEPA) and the Sudanese Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. part 538 (SSR).1<ref>Treasury Civil Penalty information "https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/CivPen/Documents/20180606_ericsson.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713232239/https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/CivPen/Documents/20180606_ericsson.pdf |date=13 July 2018 }}"</ref>

===Acquisitions and cooperation===
Around 2000, companies and governments began to push for standards for mobile Internet. In May 2000, the [[European Commission]] created the [[Wireless Strategic Initiative]],<ref>{{cite web|url=ftp://ftp.cordis.europa.eu/pub/ist/docs/ka4/mob_wsi.pdf|title=WSI (Wireless Strategic Initiative)|publisher=Ericsson |website=Ericsson.se |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020163404/ftp://ftp.cordis.europa.eu/pub/ist/docs/ka4/mob_wsi.pdf|archive-date=2017-10-20|url-status=dead|date=1 May 2000}}</ref> a consortium of four telecommunications suppliers in Europe – Ericsson, [[Nokia]], [[Alcatel]] (France) and [[Siemens]] (Germany) – to develop and test new prototypes for advanced wireless communications systems. Later that year, the consortium partners invited other companies to join them in a Wireless World Research Forum in 2001.<ref name="InfoWorld p. 77-IA1">{{cite book | title=InfoWorld | date=1995-11-20 | publisher=InfoWorld Media Group, Inc. | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_WTgEAAAAMBAJ | access-date=2018-12-17 | page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_WTgEAAAAMBAJ/page/n92 77]-IA1}}</ref> In December 1999, [[Microsoft]]
and Ericsson announced a [[strategic partnership]] to combine the former's web browser and server software with the latter's mobile-internet technologies.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/features/1999/12-08ericsson.aspx|archive-url= http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20120802225854/http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/features/1999/12-08ericsson.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date= 2 August 2012|title= Microsoft, Ericsson Team Up to Bring Information Anytime Anywhere, to Carriers and Consumers |publisher=Microsoft |website=Microsoft.com |date= 8 December 1999|access-date= 20 June 2012}}</ref> In 2000, the Dot-com bubble burst with marked [[Economy of Sweden|economic implications for Sweden]]. Ericsson, the world's largest producer of mobile telecommunications equipment, shed thousands of jobs, as did the country's Internet consulting firms and [[dot-com start-up]]s. In the same year, [[Intel]], the world's largest semiconductor chip manufacturer, signed a $1.5&nbsp;billion deal to supply [[flash memory]] to Ericsson over the next three years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/Intel-scores-flash-memory-deal-with-Ericsson/2100-1001_3-236518.html|title=Intel scores flash memory deal with Ericsson|website=cnet.com|date=4 February 2000|access-date=20 June 2012|archive-date=1 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201175109/http://news.cnet.com/Intel-scores-flash-memory-deal-with-Ericsson/2100-1001_3-236518.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The short-lived partnership, called Ericsson Microsoft Mobile Venture, owned 70/30 percent by Ericsson and Microsoft respectively, ended in October 2001 when Ericsson announced it would absorb the former joint venture and adopt a licensing agreement with Microsoft instead.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.itworld.com/IDG011005MicrosoftMobileJV|title= Microsoft pulls out of mobile JV with Ericsson|website= Itworld.com|date= 5 October 2001|access-date= 20 June 2012|archive-date= 22 March 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120322011629/http://www.itworld.com/IDG011005MicrosoftMobileJV|url-status= live}}</ref> The same month, Ericsson and [[Sony]] announced the creation of the mobile phone manufacturing joint venture: [[Sony Mobile|Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ericsson.com/press/20011001-1121.html |publisher=Ericsson |website=Ericsson.com |title=Ericsson – press release Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications established today |date=1 October 2001 |access-date=20 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020209200043/http://www.ericsson.com/press/20011001-1121.html |archive-date=9 February 2002 }}</ref> Ten years later, in February 2012, Ericsson sold its stake in the joint venture; Ericsson said it wanted to focus on the global wireless market as a whole.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ericsson.com/news/1558488|title=Sony to acquire Ericsson's share of Sony Ericsson– Press release|publisher=Ericsson|website=Ericsson.com|date=27 October 2011|access-date=20 July 2012|archive-date=3 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103111208/http://www.ericsson.com/news/1558488|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sonymobile.com/cws/corporate/press/pressreleases/pressreleasedetails/sonycompletesfullacquisitionofsonyericsson-20120216 |title=Sony Completes Full Acquisition of Sony Ericsson – Press release |website=Sonymobile.com |date=16 February 2012 |access-date=20 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911075353/http://www.sonymobile.com/cws/corporate/press/pressreleases/pressreleasedetails/sonycompletesfullacquisitionofsonyericsson-20120216 |archive-date=11 September 2012 }}</ref>

Lower stock prices and job losses affected many telecommunications companies in 2001. The major equipment manufacturers – [[Motorola]] (U.S.), [[Lucent Technologies]] (U.S.), [[Cisco Systems]] (U.S.), [[Telent|Marconi]] (UK), [[Siemens]] (Germany), Nokia (Finland), as well as Ericsson – all announced job cuts in their home countries and subsidiaries around the world. Ericsson's workforce worldwide fell during 2001 from 107,000 to 85,000.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://ericssonhistory.com/templates/Ericsson/EricssonBook/Article.aspx?id=3926&epslanguage=EN| title= Changing the World, P202, Svenolof Karlsson and Anders Lugn, Centre for Business History |website=Ericssonhistory.com|access-date=21 June 2012}}{{dead link|date=October 2014}}</ref>

In September 2001, Ericsson purchased the remaining shares in [[EHPT]] from [[Hewlett-Packard]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.cision.com/ericsson/r/ericsson-acquires-hewlett-packard-s-remaining-interest-in-ehpt,c46907|title=Ericsson acquires Hewlett-Packard's remaining interest in EHPT|website=News Powered by Cision|date=23 August 2001 |access-date=2017-02-28|archive-date=28 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228173207/http://news.cision.com/ericsson/r/ericsson-acquires-hewlett-packard-s-remaining-interest-in-ehpt,c46907|url-status=live}}</ref> Founded in 1993, Ericsson Hewlett Packard Telecom (EHPT) was a joint venture made up of 60% Ericsson interests and 40% Hewlett-Packard interests.<ref name="Bidault 2012 p. 64">{{cite book | last=Bidault | first=F. | title=Managing Joint Innovation: How to Balance Trust and Control in Strategic Alliances | publisher=Palgrave Macmillan | year=2012 | isbn=978-0-230-27997-1 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ktZIr8CjSOgC&pg=PA64 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212204646/https://books.google.com/books?id=ktZIr8CjSOgC&pg=PA64 | url-status=dead | archive-date=12 December 2019 | access-date=2018-12-17 | page=64 }}</ref>

In 2002, ICT investor losses topped $2&nbsp;trillion and share prices fell by 95% until August that year. More than half a million people lost their jobs in the global telecom industry over the two years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/02_31/b3794001.htm|title=Inside the Telecom Game – How a small group of insiders made billions as the industry collapsed|website=Businessweek.com|date=5 August 2002|access-date=21 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822060147/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/02_31/b3794001.htm|archive-date=22 August 2011}}</ref> The collapse of U.S. carrier [[MCI Inc|WorldCom]], with more than $107&nbsp;billion in assets, was the biggest in U.S. history.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://money.cnn.com/2002/07/19/news/worldcom_bankruptcy/|title= WorldCom files largest bankruptcy ever|website= Money.cnn.com|date= 22 July 2002|access-date= 21 June 2012|first1= Luisa|last1= Beltran|archive-date= 30 October 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181030111043/https://money.cnn.com/2002/07/19/news/worldcom_bankruptcy/|url-status= live}}</ref> The sector's problems caused bankruptcies and job losses, and led to changes in the leadership of several major companies. Ericsson made 20,000 more staff redundant and raised about $3&nbsp;billion from its shareholders.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2002/apr/22/mobilephones.marktran|title=Ericsson axes 17,000 jobs|work=Guardian.co.uk|date=22 April 2002|access-date=21 June 2012|location=London|first=Mark|last=Tran|archive-date=13 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613125107/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2002/apr/22/mobilephones.marktran|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2002, [[Infineon Technologies]] (then the sixth-largest semiconductor supplier and a subsidiary of [[Siemens]]) bought Ericsson's [[microelectronics]] unit for $400&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=17308|title= Infineon Buys Ericsson Microelectronics|newspaper= Light Reading|date= 12 June 2002|access-date= 21 June 2012|archive-date= 31 October 2004|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20041031073409/http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=17308|url-status= live}}</ref>

Ericsson was an official backer in the 2005 launch of the [[.mobi]] top-level domain created specifically for the [[mobile internet]].<ref>[http://mtld.mobi/company/about/investors dotMobi Investors | dotMobi] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070820165736/http://mtld.mobi/company/about/investors|date=20 August 2007}}</ref>

Co-operation with Hewlett-Packard did not end with [[EHPT]]; in 2003 Ericsson outsourced its IT to HP, which included Managed Services, Help Desk Support, Data Center Operations, and HP Utility Data Center. The contract was extended in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ssl.www8.hp.com/us/en/hp-news/press-release.html?id=172163 |title=HP News – HP Signs Contract with Ericsson for Global IT Outsourcing Services |website=Ssl.www8.hp.com |access-date=2016-11-11 |archive-date=30 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151230042806/https://ssl.www8.hp.com/us/en/hp-news/press-release.html?id=172163 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In October 2005, Ericsson acquired the bulk of the troubled UK telecommunications manufacturer [[Marconi Company]], including its brand name that dates back to the creation of the original [[Marconi Company]] by the "father of radio" [[Guglielmo Marconi]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.infoworld.com/t/networking/ericsson-buy-most-marconi-21b-799|title= Ericsson to buy most of Marconi for $2.1B|website= InfoWorld.com|date= 25 October 2005|access-date= 21 June 2012|archive-date= 9 July 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140709000821/http://www.infoworld.com/t/networking/ericsson-buy-most-marconi-21b-799|url-status= live}}</ref> In September 2006, Ericsson sold the greater part of its [[defense contractor|defense]] business [[Ericsson Microwave Systems]], which mainly produced sensor and radar systems, to [[Saab AB]], which renamed the company to [[Saab Microwave Systems]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/saab-acquires-ericsson-microwave-systems-02354/|title= Saab Acquires Ericsson Microwave Systems|publisher= Defense Industry Daily|date= 13 June 2006|access-date= 21 June 2012|archive-date= 31 May 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160531200834/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/saab-acquires-ericsson-microwave-systems-02354/|url-status= live}}</ref>

In 2007, Ericsson acquired carrier edge-router maker [[Redback Networks]], and then Entrisphere, a US-based company providing fiber-access technology.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.networkworld.com/news/2006/122006-ericsson-to-buy-redback-for.html|title= Ericsson to buy Redback for $2.1&nbsp;billion|publisher= Networkworld.com|date= 20 December 2006|access-date= 21 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130501044239/http://www.networkworld.com/news/2006/122006-ericsson-to-buy-redback-for.html|archive-date= 1 May 2013}}</ref> In September 2007, Ericsson acquired an 84% interest in German customer-care and billing software firm [[LHS Telekommunikation|LHS]], a stake later raised to 100%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ericsson.com/news/1387484 |title=All shares in LHS acquired – Press release |publisher=Ericsson |website=Ericsson.com |date=20 February 2010 |access-date=21 June 2012 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305022848/http://www.ericsson.com/news/1387484 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2008, Ericsson sold its enterprise PBX division<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ericsson.com/news/1192670 |title=Ericsson to divest its enterprise PBX solutions to Aastra Technologies – Press Release |publisher=Ericsson.com |date=18 February 2008 |access-date=22 February 2016 |archive-date=11 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311003620/http://www.ericsson.com/news/1192670 |url-status=live }}</ref> to [[Aastra Technologies]], and acquired [[Tandberg Television]], the television technology division<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ericsson.com/news/1107685 |title=Ericsson announces cash offer to acquire Tandberg Television– Press release |publisher=Ericsson |website=Ericsson.com |date=26 February 2007 |access-date=21 June 2012 |archive-date=1 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160501092701/http://www.ericsson.com/news/1107685 |url-status=live }}</ref> of Norwegian company [[Tandberg]].

In 2009, Ericsson bought the [[CDMA2000]] and [[3GPP Long Term Evolution|LTE]] business of [[Nortel]]'s carrier networks division for US$1.18&nbsp;billion;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ericsson.com/thecompany/press/releases/2009/07/1330882|title=Ericsson to acquire majority of Nortel's North American wireless business – Press release|publisher=Ericsson|website=Ericsson.com|date=25 July 2009|access-date=21 June 2012|archive-date=3 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603174515/http://www.ericsson.com/thecompany/press/releases/2009/07/1330882|url-status=live}}</ref> Bizitek, a Turkish business support systems integrator; the Estonian manufacturing operations of electronic manufacturing company [[Elcoteq]]; and completed its acquisition of LHS.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ericsson.com/news/1323236|title=Ericsson to acquire Elcoteq's operations in Tallinn to secure manufacturing capacity in Estonia – Press release|publisher=Ericsson|website=Ericsson.com|date=17 June 2009|access-date=21 June 2012|archive-date=11 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811185526/https://www.ericsson.com/news/1323236|url-status=live}}</ref> Acquisitions in 2010 included assets from the Strategy and Technology Group of inCode, a North American business and consulting-services company;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ericsson.com/news/1443012|title=Ericsson Expands Strategy and technology consulting capabilities – Press release|publisher=Ericsson|website=Ericsson.com|date=7 September 2010|access-date=20 July 2012|archive-date=26 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126034116/http://www.ericsson.com/news/1443012|url-status=live}}</ref> Nortel's majority shareholding (50% plus one share) in LG-Nortel, a joint venture between [[LG Electronics]] and Nortel Networks providing sales, R&D and industrial capacity in South Korea, now known as [[LG-Ericsson|Ericsson-LG]]; further Nortel carrier-division assets, relating from Nortel's GSM business in the United States and Canada; Optimi Corporation, a U.S.–Spanish telecommunications vendor specializing in network optimization and management;<ref>{{cite web|url= http://technews.tmcnet.com/telecommunications/topics/telecommunications/articles/129027-ericsson-takes-ownership-optimi-corporation.htm|title= Ericsson Takes Ownership of Optimi Corporation|website= Technews.com|date= 22 December 2010|access-date= 20 July 2012|archive-date= 5 November 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131105121751/http://technews.tmcnet.com/telecommunications/topics/telecommunications/articles/129027-ericsson-takes-ownership-optimi-corporation.htm|url-status= live}}</ref> and Pride, a consulting and systems-integration company operating in Italy.

In 2011, Ericsson acquired manufacturing and research facilities, and staff from the [[Guangdong Nortel Telecommunication Equipment Company]] (GDNT)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ericsson.com/news/1515119|title=Ericsson closes the Acquisition of GDNT, China – Press release|publisher=Ericsson.com|date=12 May 2011|access-date=20 July 2012|archive-date=11 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811162918/https://www.ericsson.com/news/1515119|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as Nortel's Multiservice Switch business.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.cellular-news.com/story/45584.php|title= Ericsson Buys Nortel's Multi Service Switch Businesses|publisher= Cellular-news.com|date= 25 September 2010|access-date= 20 July 2012|archive-date= 30 May 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160530103136/http://www.cellular-news.com/story/45584.php|url-status= live}}</ref> Ericsson acquired U.S. company [[Telcordia Technologies]] in January 2012,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ericsson.com/news/1576841|title=Ericsson closes Telcordia acquisition– Press release|publisher=Ericsson.com|date=12 January 2012|access-date=20 July 2012|archive-date=18 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618152234/http://www.ericsson.com/news/1576841|url-status=live}}</ref> an operations and business support systems (OSS/BSS) company.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rahn |first=Cornelius |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-14/ericsson-agrees-to-acquire-telcordia-for-1-15-billion-in-an-all-cash-deal.html |title=Ericsson to Buy Telcordia for $1.2 Billion to Add Services |publisher=Bloomberg |date=14 June 2011 |access-date=9 October 2011 |archive-date=25 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125042238/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-14/ericsson-agrees-to-acquire-telcordia-for-1-15-billion-in-an-all-cash-deal.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In March, Ericsson announced it was buying the broadcast-services division of [[Technicolor SA|Technicolor]], a media broadcast technology company.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ericsson.com/en/press-releases/2012/7/ericsson-closes-acquisition-of-technicolors-broadcast-services-division|title=Ericsson closes acquisition of Technicolor's broadcast services division|date=2012-07-03|website=Ericsson.com|language=en|access-date=2020-02-29|archive-date=29 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229152018/https://www.ericsson.com/en/press-releases/2012/7/ericsson-closes-acquisition-of-technicolors-broadcast-services-division|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2012 Ericsson completed the acquisition of BelAir Networks a strong Wi-Fi network technology company.<ref>BroadBandTechReport. "[http://www.broadbandtechreport.com/articles/2012/04/ericsson-completes-belair-buy.html Ericsson Completes BelAir Buy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818090201/http://www.broadbandtechreport.com/articles/2012/04/ericsson-completes-belair-buy.html |date=18 August 2017 }}." 2 April 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2017.</ref>

On 3 May 2013, Ericsson announced it would divest its power cable operations to Danish company [[NKT Holding]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ericsson.com/news/1699030 |title=divests its power cable operation to NKT Cables |publisher=Ericsson |date=2013-05-03 |access-date=2016-11-11 |archive-date=11 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811182455/https://www.ericsson.com/news/1699030 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 1 July 2013, Ericsson announced it would acquire the media management company [[Ericsson Broadcast and Media Services|Red Bee Media]], subject to regulatory approval.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.ericsson.com/news/1713075 |title=Ericsson to acquire leading media services company Red Bee Media |publisher=Ericsson |date=1 July 2013 |access-date=1 July 2013 |archive-date=6 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130706000702/http://www.ericsson.com/news/1713075 |url-status=live }}</ref> The acquisition was completed on 9 May 2014.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.ericsson.com/thecompany/press/releases/2014/05/1784304 |title=Ericsson completes acquisition of Red Bee Media |publisher=Ericsson |date=12 May 2014 |access-date=15 May 2014 |archive-date=17 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517154910/http://www.ericsson.com/thecompany/press/releases/2014/05/1784304 |url-status=live }}</ref> In September 2013, Ericsson completed its acquisition of Microsoft's Mediaroom business and televisions services, originally announced in April the same year. The acquisition makes Ericsson the largest provider of IPTV and multi-screen services in the world, by market share; it was renamed [[Ericsson Mediaroom]].<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.ericsson.com/news/1727445 |title=Ericsson closes acquisition of Microsoft Mediaroom |publisher=Ericsson |date=5 September 2013 |access-date=3 October 2013 |archive-date=22 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222035854/https://www.ericsson.com/news/1727445 |url-status=live }}</ref> In September 2014, Ericsson acquired majority stake in [[Apcera]] for cloud policy compliance.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/2686932/ericsson-acquires-majority-stake-in-apcera-for-cloud-policy-compliance.html|title=Ericsson acquires majority stake in Apcera for cloud policy compliance|publisher=PCWorld|date=22 September 2014|access-date=22 September 2014|archive-date=25 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140925005937/http://www.pcworld.com/article/2686932/ericsson-acquires-majority-stake-in-apcera-for-cloud-policy-compliance.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2015, Ericsson completed the acquisition of [[Envivio]], a software encoding company.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ericsson.com/en/press-releases/2015/10/ericsson-completes-acquisition-of-envivio|title=Ericsson completes acquisition of Envivio|date=2015-10-27|website=Ericsson.com|language=en|access-date=2019-04-19|archive-date=10 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810154509/https://www.ericsson.com/en/press-releases/2015/10/ericsson-completes-acquisition-of-envivio|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2016, Ericsson acquired Polish and Ukrainian operations of software development company [[Ericpol]], a long-time supplier to Ericsson.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ericsson.com/en/news/2016/4/ericsson-completes-acquisition-of-software-developer-ericpol|title=Ericsson completes acquisition of software developer Ericpol|date=2016-04-20|website=Ericsson.com|language=en|access-date=2019-07-10|archive-date=10 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710090901/https://www.ericsson.com/en/news/2016/4/ericsson-completes-acquisition-of-software-developer-ericpol|url-status=live}}</ref> Approximately 2,300 Ericpol employees joined Ericsson, bringing software development competence in radio, cloud, and IP.

On 20 June 2017, Bloomberg disclosed that Ericsson hired Morgan Stanley to explore the sale of its media businesses.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-06-20/ericsson-said-to-hire-banks-to-explore-sale-of-media-businesses|title=Ericsson Hires Banks to Explore Sale of Media Businesses|newspaper=Bloomberg.com|date=20 June 2017|via=www.bloomberg.com|access-date=4 July 2017|archive-date=30 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630074848/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-06-20/ericsson-said-to-hire-banks-to-explore-sale-of-media-businesses|url-status=live}}</ref> The Red Bee Media business was kept in-house as an independent subsidiary company, as no suitable buyer was found, but a 51% stake of the remainder of the Media Solution division was sold to private equity firm One Equity Partners, the new company being named MediaKind. The transaction was completed on 31 January 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ericsson.com/en/press-releases/2019/2/ericsson-completes-divestment-of-majority-stake-in-mediakind|title=Ericsson completes divestment of majority stake in MediaKind|date=2019-02-01|website=Ericsson.com|language=en|access-date=2019-04-19|archive-date=19 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419134523/https://www.ericsson.com/en/press-releases/2019/2/ericsson-completes-divestment-of-majority-stake-in-mediakind|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2018, Ericsson acquired the location-based mobile [[data management platform]] Placecast. Ericsson has since integrated Placecast's platform and capabilities with its programmatic mobile ad subsidiary, [[Emodo]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mobilemarketer.com/news/ericsson-buys-placecast-|title=Ericsson buys Placecast for ad geotargeting|website=Mobile Marketer|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-27}}{{Dead link|date=June 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In May 2018, SoftBank partnered with Ericsson to trial new radio technology.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://internetofbusiness.com/softbank-machine-learning-network-design-ericsson/|title=SoftBank, Ericsson bring machine learning to mobile network design {{!}} Internet of Business|last=Murison|first=Malek|date=2018-05-17|work=Internet of Business|access-date=2018-05-23|language=en-GB|archive-date=23 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523173219/https://internetofbusiness.com/softbank-machine-learning-network-design-ericsson/|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2020, Ericsson acquired US-based carrier equipment manufacturer Cradlepoint for $1.1 billion.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Duckett|first=Chris|title=Ericsson picks up Cradlepoint for enterprise value of $1.1 billion|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/ericsson-picks-up-cradlepoint-for-enterprise-value-of-1-1-billion/|access-date=2020-09-23|website=ZDNet|language=en|archive-date=10 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810154504/https://www.zdnet.com/article/ericsson-picks-up-cradlepoint-for-enterprise-value-of-1-1-billion/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2021, Ericsson announced it had reached an agreement to acquire [[Vonage]] for $6.2 billion.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chopping |first1=Dominic |title=Ericsson to Buy Vonage for $6.2 Billion, Bulking Up Cloud Presence |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ericsson-to-buy-vonage-for-6-2-billion-bulking-up-cloud-presence-11637575263 |access-date=22 November 2021 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=22 November 2021 |archive-date=22 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122102625/https://www.wsj.com/articles/ericsson-to-buy-vonage-for-6-2-billion-bulking-up-cloud-presence-11637575263 |url-status=live }}</ref> The acquisition completed in July 2022.<ref name=ericsson>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/ericsson-closes-62-bln-vonage-deal-after-short-delay-2022-07-21/ |title=Ericsson closes $6.2 bln Vonage deal after short delay |date=July 21, 2022 |work=[[Reuters]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721182406/https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/ericsson-closes-62-bln-vonage-deal-after-short-delay-2022-07-21/ |archive-date=July 21, 2022 |url-status=live |first=Supantha |last=Mukherjee}}</ref> In January 2024, Ericson and [[MTN Group]] announced expansion of their partnership to boost their mobile financial services on Africa market, as the company appointed Michael Wallis-Brown as vice president responsible for global mobile financial services.<ref name=":0" />

In December 2024, Ericsson secured a multi-year extension deal worth billions with [[Bharti Airtel]] for the provision of [[4G]] and [[5G]] radio access network products and solutions. This agreement underscores the growing demand for advanced [[telecommunications]] infrastructure as the industry transitions to [[5G]] technologies.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Rimjhim |date=December 4, 2024 |title=Bharti Airtel signs multi-billion deal with Ericsson for 4G, 5G expansion |url=https://www.business-standard.com/companies/news/bharti-airtel-signs-multi-billion-deal-with-ericsson-for-4g-5g-expansion-124120400703_1.html }}</ref>