Ericsson is proud of its co-operation with China spanning more than a century. It all began in 1892 with an order for 2,000 Ericsson telephones, which arrived in Shanghai two years later. In 1906, when Chinese officials clad in Mandarin jackets came to Stockholm, Sweden, Ericsson gave them VIP treatment. China has always been and will continue to be a very important partner of Ericsson.

Introducing Ericsson

From Telefonaktiebolaget L.M.Ericsson's beginnings in 1876 as a manufacturer of telephones and telephone switches, Ericsson has grown into a world-leading provider of end-to-end telecommunication solutions and professional services to over 140 countries. Ericsson has remained committed to the telecom industry over the past more than 100 years, always setting its sights on being "The prime driver in an all-communicating world." The name of Ericsson has always been synonymous with progress in telecommunications. With every one of its new achievements, Ericsson has remained a market leader, always at the cutting edge of technological change in the telecom industry.

Ericsson's current core businesses are: Network Systems, Professional Services, Technology Licensing, Enterprise System and Mobile Terminals (with a 50% holding in Sony Ericsson).

If you make a mobile phone call anywhere in the world, the chances are that Ericsson has played some part in helping you communicate, as Ericsson is the world's largest supplier of mobile systems and supports all major standards for wireless communication. Ericsson systems current carry 40% of the world's mobile calls, and Ericsson has a more than 35% share of the global GSM/GPRS/EDGE market and a 40% share of the WCDMA market. Ericsson is the leader in both IMS and softswitch areas and also the world's largest provider of professional telecom services.

Ericsson attaches great importance to being a good corporate citizen, always approaching corporate responsibility in terms of the broader concept of sustainability, and has established an efficient, high-quality and well-developed management information system. The Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI) rated Ericsson as the leader in the sustainable development of communications technology, and Ericsson's excellent environmental management system was also the first corporate winner of a worldwide ISO14001 certificate from the British Standards Institute.

Ericsson rooted in China

Ericsson has started doing business with China in 1892. With the shipping of 2,000 Ericsson telephones to Shanghai in 1894 being the first of many landmarks in this co-operation. Ericsson set up its first office in China in 1985 and established Ericsson (China) Co., Ltd. in 1994. With 11 joint ventures and 26 offices across China, Ericsson offers a full range of communication solutions and services to its Chinese customers. Further proof of Ericsson's commitment to China and determination to provide first-class services to Chinese customers came in December 2004, when the construction began of the new campus housing Ericsson China R&D Institute and Ericsson China Headquarters.

China at the heart of Ericsson

China is one of Ericsson's key markets. We have not only benefited from the rapid growth of China's telecommunications industry and economy, but have also worked in partnership with Chinese operators to drive the robust development of China's telecom industry. Ericsson has been building China into a global telecom hub by strengthening its R&D and manufacturing in China.

In September 2002, Ericsson upgraded its production base in China to one of its three major global supply hubs. Along with Ericsson's two other centers in North America and Europe, Nanjing Ericsson Panda Communication Co., Ltd. supports Ericsson's global supply network.

Apart from its direct investment in production in China, Ericsson has also actively encouraged its international suppliers to open factories in China, not only supplying Ericsson in China and worldwide, but also to serve the entire industry.

China is not only becoming the heart of Ericsson's global production, but also its global R&D conerstone. Since 2000, Ericsson's R&D investment in China has grown annually by 30%, while around 20% of Ericsson China's staff is engaged in R&D and product development. And in 2002, all of our R&D operations in China were optimized with the establishment of the Ericsson China R&D Institute.

In 1997, the Ericsson China Academy was established in Beijing, where the Chinese telecom industry's top managers are trained in co-operation with authoritative universities' MBA programs. Ericsson has set up technical training centers in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong to provide professional training to technicians from Ericsson and its Chinese partners.

Ericsson and China society - growing together

Information and communications technology is vital to realize sustainable development and cut energy consumption. Sustainable development and corporate social responsibility are integral to all of Ericsson's activities. China is no exception, with Ericsson always taking an ethical approach. Ericsson always attaches great importance to the environment and constantly strives to ensure sustainable development. Since 1990, Ericsson has donated over RMB130 million to welfare programs in China.

Vital partnership with China

Generations of Ericssoners have been working closely with their Chinese partners over the past more than 100 years, growing together by taking advantage of the company's advanced technologies, and global operations and experience, working to build "an all-communicating world." Ericsson is firmly committed to being the Chinese telecom industry's most reliable and valuable strategic partner.

Editor: Donald