Sony Ericsson broadens Research and Development capabilities in China

- Expanded Beijing hub enhances capabilities locally and globally
- Partnership with retail giant Suning will increase retail presence across China


Beijing - Sony Ericsson today announced the opening of its global Research and Development (R&D) operation center in Beijing. The new center demonstrates Sony Ericsson’s expansion of its R&D capabilities and its commitment to the Chinese market.

Sony Ericsson has also extended its partnership with Suning, one of the leading retailers in China. Sony Ericsson and Suning will work together on retail and go-to-market strategies to drive further adoption of Sony Ericsson’s smartphone portfolio across China.

“As Sony Ericsson continues to develop a differentiated experience on Android with our Xperia smartphone portfolio, this new R&D center will contribute to both local and global R&D efforts,” said Magnus Ahlqvist, President, Sony Ericsson Greater China. “The new center will play a central role in helping us to deliver innovative technologies and create deeper relationships with strategic customers like China Unicom and China Mobile. Our expanded retail agreement with Suning will help us reach more Chinese consumers.”

Sony Ericsson has several R&D centers around the world including Sweden, Japan and North America. The Chinese center is Sony Ericsson’s second largest R&D facility.

As of Q2 2011, Sony Ericsson had shipped more than 16 million Android smartphones globally and its Android-based Xperia shipment volumes were up by 150% year-on-year.

About Sony Ericsson
Sony Ericsson celebrates its 10th year as a joint venture between Sony Corporation and Ericsson in October, 2011. Over the years Sony Ericsson has brought together the best communication technologies with superior entertainment user experiences to create its Xperia™ line of the „most entertaining smartphones‟ in the mobile handset industry. With its global corporate functions in London, Sony Ericsson has sales and marketing operations in all major regions of the world, as well as manufacturing in China, and product development sites in China, Japan, Sweden and Silicon Valley, California. For more information, please visit: www.sonyericsson.com/press.

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