Stockholm-based telecom equipment maker Ericsson announced layoffs alongside a plummet in fourth-quarter net profit on Friday.

Leading Swedish-based provider of telecommunication and data communication systems LM Ericsson AB reported a sharp drop in fourth-quarter net income. The company plans to lay off around 1,000 employees in Sweden because of costs cuts.

• Agreement enables global mobile operators to drive down transmission costs
• Huge cost-saving impact on community-centric, low-ARPU / high-growth markets

During Broadband World Forum in Berlin October 8-11, Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC), Sony (NYSE:SNE) and Sony Ericsson will jointly demonstrate the possibilities of new multimedia experiences between mobile handsets and home network devices. The combination of technologies based on IMS and DLNA standards will enable consumers to access innovative multimedia services anywhere, anytime and on any device.

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) announced today that Ericsson, a world-leading provider of telecommunications equipment and related services to mobile and fixed network operators globally, has selected AT&T to provide an advanced Virtual Private Network (VPN) across the Middle East region.

Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) and Finnish operator Elisa have successfully launched HSPA on the uplink in Elisa's 3G network.

HSPA on the uplink (also known as Enhanced Uplink or HSUPA) allows data transfer speeds of 1.4 Mbps, more than three times the speed of traditional 3G networks.

Ericsson and Deutsche Telekom, one of the world's largest incumbents, have entered a six-year managed services partnership. The strategically important contract covers the operation and maintenance of Deutsche Telekom's microwave network in Germany.

Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) will provide a comprehensive spare parts management service for the GSM network of Telefónica Mexico.

Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) and leading Pakistani operator Warid Telecommunications Limited (Warid Telecom (Pvt.) Limited) today (August 14) announced a new three-year managed services agreement that will deepen the existing strategic partnership between the two companies and marks Ericsson's first multivendor deal in Pakistan.

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) is strengthening its leadership in WCDMA/HSPA networks with a new contract in Hungary.

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) has been awarded an expansion contract by PT Excelcomindo Pratama Tbk (XL) to expand its GSM/GPRS and WCDMA/HSPA in the country.

Personal in Paraguay has awarded Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) a contract to expand, modernize and upgrade its GSM network with mobile softswitch, to efficiently increase coverage and capacity nationwide.