Ericsson was recognized as the winner of the African Vendor of the Year award at the recent CommsMEA Awards 2013. The award acknowledged the company's contributions to the development of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector in Africa. The CommsMEA Awards recognizes organizations that help turn the communications sector in the Middle East and Africa into one of the most dynamic and vibrant in the world. Ericsson's President of Region Middle East, Anders Lindblad was also recognized as the “Telecoms Professional of the Year”, the only category award that identifies industry leaders for shaping and inspiring the region's telecommunications market. “ICT is transforming the way people live, work and communicate. People's lifestyles, in the Middle East and Africa, are changing rapidly, with mobile devices using more data as they access more products and services, demanding more connectivity everywhere,” said Jonas Heimer, Vice President and Head of Strategy, Marketing and Communications, Ericsson, Region Middle East. “Realizing the transformative power of a fast-moving ICT environment, the award comes today to recognize our innovation and contributions to help advance the Networked Society in this region,” added Heimer. Ericsson has a long history in the region, having installed its first telephone exchange in Egypt in 1897, in Alexandria. The company drives innovation across the communications spectrum. Through an annual investment of $5 billion in research and development, Ericsson has been at the forefront of some of mobile technology's most significant advancements. — SG
