Ericsson exits mobile handset JV Sony Ericsson

Telecom equipment maker Ericsson today announced the completion of disinvestment of its entire stake in 50:50 mobile handset joint venture Sony Ericsson to the Japanese Sony Corporation.

Sony Ericsson, now, has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corp.

"The agreed cash consideration for the transaction is 1.05 billion euro ($1.36 billion)," Ericsson said in a statement released today.

"Ericsson has today completed the divestment of its 50% stake in Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB ('Sony Ericsson'), including the broad IP cross-licensing agreement, jointly announced by Sony Corporation ('Sony') and Ericsson on October 27, 2011," Ericsson said.

It further said Ericsson will report gain of approximately $1.11 billion (SEK 7.5 billion) in the first quarter result on April 25, 2012, as 'other operating income' in the income statement.

Sony Ericsson started its operations on October 1, 2001, with the combination of unprofitable handset operations of Ericsson and Sony.

By the end of the third quarter of 2011, Sony Ericsson held a market share of 11% (by value) in the Android phone market, representing 80% of the company's third quarter sales. Ericsson said in its October 27 statement.

During its ten years in operation Sony Ericsson has generated approximately 1.5 billion euro of profit and paid dividends totalling approximately 1.9 billion euro ($2.47 billion) to its parent companies, it added.