Ericsson

Corporate brand

Swedish multinational provider of telecommunications network equipment, software, and services, and a major contributor to mobile-network standards including 5G.

Last updated October 29, 2026

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Overview

Ericsson is a Swedish multinational telecommunications and networking company headquartered in Stockholm. Founded in 1876 by Lars Magnus Ericsson as a telephone-repair and instrument business, it developed from a domestic telephone-equipment maker into one of the world’s principal suppliers of mobile-network infrastructure. Its customers are primarily telecommunications operators, governments, enterprises, and technology partners. The company’s business spans radio access networks, core networks, transport systems, cloud and communications software, managed services, network design, and enterprise connectivity. Its mobile-network portfolio has covered successive generations of cellular technology, including GSM, 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G. Ericsson has also worked on fixed broadband, optical and IP transport, network-management software, private cellular networks, Internet of Things platforms, and communications services. The company is particularly associated with the engineering and standardization of mobile communications and has accumulated a large telecommunications patent portfolio. Bluetooth was developed through work involving Ericsson researchers and later became an industry standard. Ericsson’s early growth came from manufacturing telephones and manual and automatic switching equipment for Scandinavian and international operators. During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries it expanded through agents, local factories, and contracts in markets including the United Kingdom, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, China, and Latin America. It later supplied crossbar and electronic switching systems to national and regional telephone administrations. The company experienced financial and strategic pressure during the interwar period and was restructured with support from Swedish banks. The Wallenberg sphere subsequently became an important long-term shareholder. Ericsson’s position changed substantially during the mobile era: GSM adoption, the development of WCDMA and HSPA, and the global spread of cellular networks made it a central infrastructure supplier. Its handset activities were separated from the network business in the Sony Ericsson joint venture in 2001; Ericsson exited that venture in 2012 to concentrate on network infrastructure and related services. The early-2000s telecommunications downturn brought major losses, refinancing, workforce reductions, and portfolio changes. Ericsson subsequently rebuilt around mobile broadband, IP networking, professional services, and software. It continued to invest in 4G and 5G research and entered enterprise connectivity more actively through acquisitions and product development. The company acquired Cradlepoint in 2020 to expand its enterprise wireless-edge and private-network capabilities, and Vonage in 2022 to broaden its communications-platform and cloud communications presence. Ericsson remains an international supplier of carrier and enterprise communications technology. Its present positioning combines radio-network scale, standards-related intellectual property, systems integration, software, and lifecycle services. The company operates in a competitive market alongside Nokia, Huawei, Samsung Networks, Cisco, and specialist software and cloud providers. Its performance is influenced by operator capital expenditure, spectrum and national-security regulation, geopolitical restrictions, technology-generation transitions, and the pace at which enterprises adopt private 5G and programmable communications.

History

Lars Magnus Ericsson entered the telephone trade after working as an instrument maker and repairing telegraph equipment. In 1876 he opened a small repair shop in Stockholm with Carl Johan Andersson. Ericsson initially repaired imported telephones, but soon began manufacturing its own instruments and switchboards. In 1878 it supplied equipment to Stockholms Allmänna Telefonaktiebolag, helping establish a foundation for the Swedish business. By the 1890s, Ericsson was exporting through agents and establishing production relationships abroad. The United Kingdom and Russia became early foreign markets, while Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, China, and parts of Latin America also became important destinations. Ericsson’s products evolved from manually operated telephone sets and exchanges toward automatic switching. Although the company was initially cautious about automatic telephony, it produced dial equipment in the early twentieth century and later became a major supplier of crossbar switching systems. World War I, the Russian Revolution, the Great Depression, and the loss of Russian assets created severe commercial and financial pressures. In 1925 Karl Fredric Wincrantz acquired control, with financing associated with Ivar Kreuger. After the collapse of Kreuger’s financial empire, Swedish banks and the Wallenberg sphere helped stabilize Ericsson. The ownership and governance structure established during this period made the Wallenberg interests influential in the company for decades. Ericsson continued developing telephone systems, including the Ericofon, automatic mobile telephony, switching equipment, and network products. The company introduced the MTA mobile telephone system in 1956 and continued to build expertise in radio communications. During the late twentieth century it became increasingly focused on mobile systems, especially as GSM emerged as a widely adopted digital cellular standard. The 1990s brought both opportunity and disruption. Ericsson participated in the development and commercialization of GSM, WCDMA, and later packet-data technologies. It supported the shift from voice-centric cellular networks to mobile Internet and helped develop HSPA, which enabled substantially faster mobile broadband. At the same time, the company was criticized for being slow to recognize the strategic importance of Internet Protocol networking and faced intense competition in handsets and infrastructure. The telecommunications crash around 2000–2002 exposed Ericsson’s dependence on operator investment and weakened its handset business. A factory fire affecting a key semiconductor supplier disrupted telephone production. Ericsson issued a profit warning, reduced its workforce, raised capital, reorganized operations, and transferred handset activities into Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications, formed with Sony in 2001. Ericsson sold its interest in the joint venture in 2012, refocusing on carrier networks, services, and software. From the mid-2000s, Ericsson benefited from mobile broadband and the deployment of 3G and 4G networks. It expanded professional services, IP networking, managed operations, and multimedia and charging software. The transition to 5G brought another major investment cycle, with Ericsson supplying radio systems, core networks, transport, orchestration, and associated services. The company also broadened into enterprise connectivity through Cradlepoint and cloud communications through Vonage. Its recent history has combined technological expansion with restructuring, regulatory scrutiny, geopolitical constraints, and efforts to diversify beyond traditional operator equipment.

2022
Vonage acquisition completed
[4]Ericsson completes acquisition of Vonageericsson.com
Ericsson adds cloud communications and communications-platform services through its acquisition of Vonage.
2020
Cradlepoint acquisition completed
[3]Ericsson completes acquisition of Cradlepointericsson.com
Ericsson expands into enterprise wireless-edge and secure networking through the acquisition of Cradlepoint.
2017
Börje Ekholm becomes chief executive
[1]Ericssonen.wikipedia.org
Börje Ekholm succeeds the interim leadership arrangement and takes office as president and CEO.
2012
Ericsson exits Sony Ericsson
[1]Ericssonen.wikipedia.org
Ericsson sells its stake to Sony and concentrates on wireless infrastructure and related business areas.
2005
Ericsson backs the .mobi domain launch
[1]Ericssonen.wikipedia.org
The company supports the launch of a top-level domain intended for mobile Internet services.
2001
Sony Ericsson joint venture formed
[1]Ericssonen.wikipedia.org
Ericsson and Sony combine their mobile-phone businesses in a joint venture.
1995
Internet-focused Infocom Systems project established
[1]Ericssonen.wikipedia.org
Ericsson creates an initiative to pursue opportunities at the intersection of telecommunications, Internet Protocol, and information technology.
1956
MTA mobile telephone system introduced
[1]Ericssonen.wikipedia.org
Ericsson introduces one of the first automatic mobile telephone systems.
1954
Ericofon introduced
[1]Ericssonen.wikipedia.org
Ericsson launches the compact Ericofon telephone, later recognized as a landmark of industrial design.
1921
Dial telephone production begins
[1]Ericssonen.wikipedia.org
Ericsson produces an early telephone designed for automatic exchange service.
1901
Lars Magnus Ericsson leaves operational leadership
[1]Ericssonen.wikipedia.org
After the company becomes increasingly international, its founder steps down from the business.
1878
First Ericsson telephone equipment supplied
[1]Ericssonen.wikipedia.org
The company begins manufacturing and selling its own telephone equipment and supplies telephones and switchboards to a Stockholm operator.
1876
Ericsson is founded in Stockholm
[1]Ericssonen.wikipedia.org
Lars Magnus Ericsson and Carl Johan Andersson establish a telegraph and telephone repair business.

Products and positioning

A global communications-technology supplier combining mobile-network infrastructure, software, standards expertise, and managed services for operators and enterprises.

Mobile-network infrastructure
Ericsson Radio System
A modular family of radio access products covering antennas, radio units, baseband, and related software for cellular networks. It supports operator deployments across multiple generations and is central to Ericsson’s 4G and 5G infrastructure business.
Core network software
Ericsson 5G Core
Cloud-oriented core-network software and services used to manage mobile connectivity, policy, subscriber functions, and network slicing or other advanced 5G capabilities, depending on the deployment.
Enterprise networking
Ericsson Private 5G
Private cellular-network solutions for enterprises and industrial sites. The offering is designed to provide managed, secure wireless connectivity for applications requiring coverage, mobility, predictable performance, or local control.
Network operations software and services
Ericsson Operations Engine
A set of automation, analytics, orchestration, and managed-service capabilities intended to help operators run, optimize, and monetize communications networks.
Enterprise wireless networking · 2020
Cradlepoint enterprise wireless solutions
Enterprise routers, edge networking, and wireless WAN services brought into Ericsson’s portfolio through the Cradlepoint acquisition. They address branch connectivity, distributed operations, and cellular-backed enterprise networks.
Cloud communications · 2022
Vonage Communications APIs
Programmable communications tools that enable developers and enterprises to embed messaging, voice, video, identity, and related communications functions into digital products and business workflows.

Controversies

2023
U.S. deferred-prosecution agreement resolution
U.S. authorities announced an amended resolution related to Ericsson’s earlier corruption case and alleged breaches of obligations under its deferred prosecution agreement.
Source
2022
Iraq investigation and suspected misconduct disclosures
Ericsson disclosed findings from an internal investigation into activities in Iraq, including possible payments and compliance concerns. The matter prompted regulatory and public scrutiny and was referred to relevant authorities.
Source
2022
Ericsson files patent lawsuits against Apple
Ericsson filed another set of patent infringement lawsuits against Apple in the United States over royalty payments for the use of 5G wireless patents in iPhones.
Source
2021
Ericsson sues Apple in 5G patent dispute
Ericsson took legal action against Apple over licensing terms for Ericsson's 5G patents. Ericsson alleged that Apple's approach to determining patent validity and infringement was an attempt to avoid reasonable fees; Ericsson asked a Texas federal court for a declaration that it had complied with its FRAND commitment and applicable laws and policies.
Source
2021
Ericsson and Samsung settle global patent dispute
Ericsson and Samsung reached a multi-year global patent-licensing agreement covering patents related to cellular technologies and sales of network infrastructure and phones from January 1, 2021. The agreement settled their dispute and ended complaints before the USITC and lawsuits in multiple countries.
Source
2020
Ericsson sues Samsung over FRAND commitments
In a legal dispute between Ericsson and Samsung, Ericsson filed a lawsuit against Samsung in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. According to the event summary, Ericsson alleged that Samsung violated contractual commitments to negotiate in good faith and to license patents on FRAND terms. The filing concerns compliance with FRAND commitments rather than a final ruling; the available event fields do not record a court outcome, damages amount, or further allegations beyond the stated claims.
Source 1 Source 2 Source 3
2019
Ericsson agrees to $1.2 billion bribery-case settlement
Ericsson agreed to pay $1.2 billion to resolve a bribery case brought by US authorities. The case involved allegations of corruption across multiple countries; Ericsson admitted to corrupt conduct, and the settlement included a criminal penalty and an SEC fine.
Source
2018
Sudan sanctions settlement
Ericsson entities agreed to a civil settlement with U.S. authorities concerning an apparent violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and Sudanese sanctions regulations.
Source

2022
Acquire VonageM&A
Background
Ericsson aimed to expand from connectivity infrastructure into cloud-based communications platforms and programmable communications services.
Action taken
Ericsson completed the acquisition of Vonage.
Aftermath
Vonage expanded Ericsson’s enterprise and developer-facing communications offering.
Source
2020
Acquire CradlepointM&A
Background
Ericsson identified enterprise wireless, edge networking, and private cellular connectivity as growth areas beyond traditional operator infrastructure.
Action taken
The company completed the acquisition of Cradlepoint.
Aftermath
Cradlepoint became an important part of Ericsson’s enterprise networking portfolio.
Source
2012
Exit from Sony EricssonStrategy
Background
Ericsson sought to concentrate on wireless networks, services, and the broader mobile communications market rather than consumer handsets.
Action taken
Ericsson sold its remaining stake in Sony Ericsson to Sony.
Aftermath
The business became Sony Mobile Communications, while Ericsson focused on carrier and enterprise communications technology.
Source
2001
Separate handset operations into Sony EricssonStrategy
Background
Ericsson’s handset business was losing money during the telecommunications downturn, while the company needed to focus resources on network infrastructure and mobile systems.
Action taken
Ericsson formed Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications with Sony, combining the two companies’ handset operations.
Aftermath
The joint venture operated as a major mobile-phone brand for a decade before Ericsson sold its interest to Sony in 2012.
Source

Recent events

2023
Ericsson announces workforce and cost actions[15]爱立信宣布裁员和成本措施ericsson.com
Other
Ericsson announced restructuring and cost-reduction measures amid weaker mobile-network investment conditions and changing operator demand.
2022
Ericsson completes acquisition of Vonage[4]Ericsson completes acquisition of Vonageericsson.com
M&A
Ericsson completed its acquisition of Vonage, adding cloud communications and communications-platform capabilities.
2022
Ericsson completes Vonage acquisition after U.S. national-security review[16]爱立信完成对Vonage的收购，此前已通过美国国家安全审查tradepractitioner.com
M&A · Regulation
The Vonage transaction proceeded after review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States and related national-security arrangements.
2021
Ericsson agrees to acquire Vonage[16]爱立信完成对Vonage的收购，此前已通过美国国家安全审查tradepractitioner.com
M&A
Ericsson announced an agreement to acquire cloud-communications provider Vonage, seeking to broaden its addressable market beyond telecommunications operators and build a stronger enterprise communications platform.
2020
Ericsson completes acquisition of Cradlepoint[3]Ericsson completes acquisition of Cradlepointericsson.com
M&A
Ericsson acquired Cradlepoint to strengthen its enterprise wireless-edge, secure networking, and private cellular business.
2018
Ericsson agrees to pay U.S. sanctions settlement[1]Ericssonen.wikipedia.org
Regulation · Other
Ericsson entities agreed to pay a civil settlement concerning an apparent violation of U.S. sanctions rules involving Sudan.
Ericsson and AT&T demonstrate 6G-related capabilities in the United States[17]爱立信与AT&T在美国演示6G相关能力ericsson.com
Product launch · Campaign
Ericsson and AT&T presented a live drone-detection demonstration outside AT&T Stadium, positioning current 5G infrastructure as a foundation for future network capabilities and security applications.

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