Wireless equipment maker LM Ericsson yesterday announced deals worth more than US$550 million to expand mobile networks in 17 Chinese regions, the Associated Press reported.

Ericsson said the contracts were signed with China Mobile during the first half of 2006, and includes providing the country's major cell-phone operator with GSM network equipment and technical support.

The expanded networks will support more than 200 million subscribers, Ericsson said.

Ericsson, the world's largest supplier of telecom equipment has partnered with China Mobile since 1987, and said the new contracts would help strengthen its position as a leader on the Chinese market.

(For more biz stories, please visit Industry Updates)