Ericsson Signs China Mobile Network Pacts

Wireless-equipment maker Ericsson (ERIC Quote) said Monday it has inked deals with two Chinese mobile operators to build out GSM networks.

Stockholm-based Ericsson said that separate agreements with China Mobile (CHL Quote) and China Unicom (CHU Quote) are valued at a total of $1.44 billion. The expansion projects will allow both operators to boost their network capacity and performance.

Ericsson said it will be one of the main suppliers of core and radio network equipment, along with related technical support and services, to help expand GSM coverage and capacity in 19 regions across China.

Shares of Ericsson were down 13 cents, or 0.7%, to $19.67. They've lost more than 11% on the year, with a significant portion of that coming after Sony Ericsson, the joint venture of Sony (SNE Quote) and Ericsson, warned that lower growth in the first quarter would impact earnings.

Elsewhere in the sector, handset makers Motorola (MOT Quote) and Nokia (NOK Quote) -- which will report earnings Thursday -- were each lower by about 0.8%.