Ericsson which has recently begun its efficiency programme in Europe, including a significant jobs cut, has bought a Chinese telecom IT services provider and a specialist in operations and business support systems (OSS/BSS) domain, Sunrise Technology.
Following the acquisition, Ericsson will take on around 1,000 new employees in Guangzhou, China. However, Sunrise will continue to exist as a separate business unit serving the customers outside the telecom sector, it says.
The new hires will consist of specialists with an expertise in billing systems, customer relationship management and business intelligence/analytics solutions as well as development and maintenance. Approximately, 1,000 employees are expected to join Ericsson’s headcount by Q2 2015.
According to Ericsson, the acquisition will also strengthen its position in the OSS/BSS field which is one of its core businesses. The company previously declared it plans to excel in its core areas that include Radio, Core and Transmission along with the telecom services and fund its growth in IP networks, Cloud, TV & Media, OSS & BSS and Industry & Society.
“The completion of this acquisition significantly strengthens our position in China and shows our commitment to the market. The skills and experience of the Sunrise Technology employees will be key for us to continue providing leading services to our customers in China,” says Mats H. Olsson, Senior Vice President and Head of Asia-Pacific at Ericsson.
Also, earlier this month Ericsson implemented a next phase of its cost and efficiency programme in Europe which means that around 2,200 positions in the area of R&D and Supply in Sweden would go, subject to notice.