The purchase reflects our positive assessment of the Brazilian telecommunications market. With more than 100 years of presence in Brazil, Ericsson enjoys a strong position in fixed and mobile telephony. Continued success in the Brazilian market, particularly in the third quarter, means that Ericsson's market share of mobile systems now exceeds 50 percent. In early October, Ericsson announced a new strategic direction and a new organization that will secure growth as well as a leading role in the new telecoms world taking shape in coming years. This new direction is the result of a comprehensive review of Ericsson technology, strategy and organization that was launched last spring.
Implementation is now underway across the world.
In terms of strategy, Ericsson aims at occupying a leading position in the growing market for wireless communications and Internet-based technologies. The strategy will fundamentally affect Ericsson as well as the entire industry. Another new development is EDGE, which further speeds up data transmissions, giving network operators today the opportunity to offer services with third-generation characteristics. The coming years will be dominated by convergence between data and telecommunications, and where demands for mobility will characterize development. At a press conference on October 12, we announced that our goal is to long term exceed market growth.