Ericsson Open to Bigger M&A Deal After Nokia-Alcatel

Ericsson AB is open to a transaction to counter a move by rivals Nokia Oyj and Alcatel-Lucent SA to combine and overtake the Swedish company as a leading provider of network equipment, said people familiar with the plans.

Chief Executive Officer Hans Vestberg plans to gather with his top managers next month to discuss strategy, and a key area is what Ericsson can do to respond after Nokia’s $16.6 billion acquisition of Alcatel-Lucent, said one of the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private deliberations.