Ericsson licenses next generation phone platforms

The platforms will include component specifications, printed circuit board layouts and software, as well as support and service in customising the platforms. As with Motorola's decision to market its proprietary handset technologies at the end of July, Ericsson cited parallels between the current mobile handset industry and that of PCs in the past as a reason behind the move. Jan Uddenfeldt, the company's senior vice president of technology, believes that gradually fewer mobile companies will deliver platforms but more will deliver handsets.

The move could also be viewed as a revenue chase as growth in the handset market slows. Ericsson's loss-making mobile phone division has undergone some major restructuring this year, including outsourcing of the manufacturing side of the business to Flextronics and the merger with Sony's handset business, which is due to start operations at the beginning of October.