STMicroelectronics and Ericsson merged Ericsson Mobile Platforms and ST-NXP Wireless into a joint venture: ST-NXP Wireless.
The 50/50 fabless joint venture, operating from August 2, 2008, is an important supplier to Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, LG and Sharp. It employs almost 8,000 people with pro-forma 2007 sales of USD 3.6B. The company has approximately 4000 people employed in R&D activities, mostly based in Europe, Asia, and the US. ST and NXP have transferred over 3,500 patents to ST-NXP Wireless.
In the joint venture, ST contributes its multimedia and connectivity solutions as well as a 2G/EDGE platform and a 3G offering, including customer relationships with Nokia, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson. Ericsson contributes its 3G and LTE platform technology as well as customer relationships with Sony Ericsson, LG and Sharp. As ST-NXP Wireless was launched as an 80-20 venture between STMicroelectronics and NXP, ST will acquire the remaining shares.
