Ericsson offers advanced communications solutions for mobile and fixednetworks, as well as consumer products. Ericsson is a total solutions supplierfor all customer segments: network operators and service providers, enterprisesand consumers. 

Ericsson’s mission is to understand its customer’s opportunities andneeds and provide communications solutions better than any competitor. This has clearly established Ericsson with the world’s largest customerbase in the telecommunications field. 

Strategic Direction 

Ericsson’s knowledge in wireless technologies, highly robust networksand technology based on the Internet Protocol, are cornerstones in thecompany's strategic direction for the future, aimed at establishing a leadingrole in the New Telecoms World. 

Although already huge, the market Ericsson addresses is still in itsinfancy.  Telecommunications will play a key role in the shaping ofthe future society, where the ability to communicate anywhere and at anytimewill be taken for granted. As a leading supplier this means tremendousbusiness opportunities for Ericsson. 

Ericsson’s strength is built on its worldwide presence, world-classresearch and development, a broad product portfolio with strong solutionsin all customer segments and its leadership in wireless technology andmobility. All these factors differentiate Ericsson from its competitors. 

Migrating into IP

Ericsson, as the most successful international supplier of voice systemsoutside its home market, is looking forward to increasing its growing worldwideshare and user base with its flagship MD110 and BusinessPhone exchanges.Rapid growth in new systems combined with a large installed base in excessof 17 million extensions provides the perfect customer opportunity to enterthe emerging markets for VoIP and IP-PBX’s. New gateway offerings for IPconnectivity were announced in 1998, along with substantial web enhancementson our computer telephony server offerings, which together allow customersto benefit from lower wide area cost connections combined with innovativenew applications. 

Ericsson’s enterprise data offerings were considerably enhanced by theacquisition of ACC during 1998, which provides remote access servers androuter product ranges, to compliment the company’s offerings in ATM andFrame Relay. Partnerships with broadline data networking companies enableEricsson to provide complete data and voice over data networking solutions. 

In March 1999 Ericsson announced the acquisition of TouchWave Inc.,a provider of enterprise IP-telephony solutions. The TouchWave productrange targets small and medium sized businesses and branch networks oflarger organizations. The acquisition gives Ericsson fully featured IPPBX systems that support Voice over IP, wireless LAN terminals, existinganalogue handsets and third party software applications for office use. 

In May 1999, Ericsson Enterprise Solutions and Symbol Technologies,Inc. announced a co-marketing and technology-sharing agreement to deliverwireless LAN-based telephony and data solutions from a single networkingplatform to enterprise and vertical markets. 

Ericsson provides a full portfolio of services from the most comprehensiveglobal support service available on the market to advanced consulting,systems and network integration, E-commerce and managed services offeringsfrom Ericsson's newly formed Business Consulting operation. This operationconsists of over 4,000 IT professionals and communication specialists dedicatedto deliver innovative solutions, which deliver their promises of businessvalue. 

Truly global presence

Ericsson’s unique global presence was established over 100 years ago.As early as the late 1890’s, Ericsson had operations worldwide – includingsuch countries as China, Russia and Mexico. Today, Ericsson is presentin 140 countries and more than 95 percent of sales originate from outsideof Sweden, making Ericsson the most international of all companies in theindustry. 

Research and development

Ericsson has always concentrated intensely on technical development.Annual investment in research and development has in recent years rangedfrom 15 to 20 percent of sales. In 1998, Ericsson invested USD 3.7 billionin R&D, corresponding to 16 percent of sales. 

This means that Ericsson is investing more than any other company inthe industry in systems and products for the future. More than 23,000 employeesin 23 countries are active in research and development. 

©1999. Ericsson, Inc. All rights reserved. Specificationssubject to change without notice. WebSwitch is a trademark of Ericsson,Inc. All other brand and product names are trademarks of their respectiveowners.
Printed May 1999.