Ericsson expects to double sales

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Swedish telecommunications company Ericsson expects to double its sales in Indonesia as the country's telecommunications market continues to grow.

"Ericsson Indonesia doubled its revenue last year. We expect this year to improve our position. Historically, we have doubled (our revenue annually)," PT Ericsson Indonesia's president Ulf Mansson told The Jakarta Post last week.

He did not provide figures.

He said Ericsson was the largest mobile telecommunications provider in the country.

Aside from handsets, Ericsson also provides equipment and systems for mobile networks for privately and state-owned firms, including PT Telkom and its joint operating partners; cellular phone operators PT Telkomsel, PT Excelcomindo, PT Indosat, and Lippo Telecom.

Mansson said Ericcson would launch one of its new mobile phones this year, which is manufactured by Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications, a joint venture between Ericcson and Japanese electronic giant Sony.

The joint venture was established last year amid the growing competition in the cellular phone manufacturing industry.

"Sony has a strong brand name and excellent distribution channel and Ericsson has advanced technology and a good reputation. We believe we can offer very competitive products and applications in Indonesia," Mansson said.

The company refused to provide details about the Sony-Ericsson cellphone.

Telkom's data says there were about 5.3 million cellular phone subscribers last year with the number expected to increase to 11 million this year.