Established in 2001, Sony Ericsson is a joint venture of Sony Corporation and Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson. The company is owned equally by Ericsson and Sony, and announced its first joint products in March 2002. This joint-venture is to draw on the cellular technology of Ericsson, the world's leading maker of wireless infrastructure equipment, and Sony's expertise in developing popular consumer gadgetry.

Today, it undertakes product research, design and development, marketing, sales, distribution and customer services. Having the Global management in London, it has its R&D centers in Sweden, Japan, China, the US and UK.

The management team includes President Miles Flint, a former senior executive of Sony Europe and one of the key players in the development of Sony in Europe in the 1990’s; and Corporate Executive Vice-President Jan Wareby, a veteran of Ericsson and part of the team that shaped Sony Ericsson in 2001.

Business Summary

Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications is a global service provider of mobile multimedia devices, including feature-rich phones and accessories, PC cards and M2M solutions. The products combine powerful technology with innovative applications for mobile imaging, communications and entertainment. It is an enticing brand developing compelling business opportunities for mobile operators and desirable, fun products for end users.

Sony is engaged in the development, design, manufacture, and sale of various kinds of electronic equipment, instruments, and devices for consumer and industrial markets. The company operates in 7 main product areas: electronics, video/online games, music, movies and television, robots, Internet services/applications, and business solutions. The electronics segment consists of products such as computers, handhelds, peripherals, portable audio, mobile phones, recordable/storage media, and other electronics. The company's mobile communications division operates through the Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications subsidiary. It produces a range of mobile phone handsets and offers professional communications solutions such as smartphones with corporate communications capabilities.

Globally, Sony operates a holding company for its US operations, Sony Corporation of America, which owns several businesses including the US branches of Sony Electronics, Sony Music Entertainment, and Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Its other subsidiaries include Sony EMCS, Frontage, Sony Chemicals, Sony Life Insurance, Sony Semiconductor, Sony Finance International, Sony Marketing, and Sony Manufacturing Systems.

Sony became the fastest growing mobile vendor in Q3 2006, with 43% annual growth rate compared to its competitors. Presently, Sony Ericsson is the second-most profitable mobile phone maker behind Nokia and this recognition can be attributed to its growth in high end mobile market.

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