Sweden is the largest net exporter of telecom equipment and the third largest total volume exporter (after the United States and Germany). Sweden's advanced position depends to a large extent on LM Ericsson, founded more than 100 years ago. The company is the world's largest supplier of wireless network infrastructure, and it is one of the largest suppliers of cellular phones. While Ericsson is the dominant company, it is not alone. Today, the Swedish telecom industry consists of several hundred companies, most of which were established in the latter part of the 1990's.
Sweden is characterized by a high penetration of the internet and PC's. In February 2000, the US-based International Data Corporation (IDC) ranked Sweden as the world's leading nation in IT and Internet adoption, for the first time surpassing the United States in this ranking! At the same time Newsweek labeled Stockholm "Europe's Internet Capital, a city of hot IPO's and cool clubs". Sweden is also a place with extensive use of cellular phones and a highly IT literate population. More than 50% of households own PC's (the corresponding figure for Stockholm is 72%).
New media companies are also booming in Sweden. Some of the world's largest Internet consultancy firms and award-winning software companies are based in Sweden. Companies such as Spray Razorfish, Framtidsfabriken, Icon Medialab and Stockholm Interactive have either partnered or established offices in California. The success of young high-tech entrepreneurs is inspiring others, resulting in a high rate of new company formation. Most of these companies are focused on global expansion.
To read more about IT, telecom and new media in Sweden, please visit www.itsweden.com, which introduces you to Sweden and the Information Society. Also visit the following sites: