2010-05-18

Report highlights China's world of difference

• Ericsson ConsumerLab report reveals consumer trends driving world's largest market

• Nearly 800 million mobile subscribers, 380 million internet users

• Status, urbanization and globalization driving take-up of more advanced services

With the 2010 World Expo, Shanghai is shining a spotlight on China's past, present and future. A new Ericsson ConsumerLab report is turning that spotlight onto the consumer behavior powering the growth, potential and diversity of the world's biggest telecom market.

The report, released in conjunction with the Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) Business Innovation Forum in Shanghai from May 17-19, explores the behaviors, trends and circumstances of China's nearly 800 million mobile phone subscribers and 380 million internet users. They cover every possible socioeconomic niche and every level of technical prowess.

With mobile penetration of 56 percent and 8.8 million new subscriptions a month, China has one of the most dynamic markets in the world, as well as the fastest-growing major economy. GDP growth of 8 percent in 2009 and rising incomes are increasing spending power and material wealth. But the picture varies across this enormous country. The urban, rural and youth markets in particular show extreme diversity in user sophistication and demand for services.

Douglas Gilstrap, Senior Vice President and head of Strategy at Ericsson, stresses the importance of China on the telecom world: "With its enormous and increasingly prosperous population, China - together with neighboring India - is widely expected to provide a large share of future telecom growth. The study provides the latest, in-depth information that we and our business partners need to use to capture that growth. Understanding user behavior is crucial in driving successful innovation in both technology and business models."

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Information about the company: Telefon AB LM Ericsson