Ericsson plans to acquire Devoteam Telecom & Media operations in France. The completion of the acquisition is subject to consultation and customary closing conditions. It is expected to take place by the beginning of the second quarter of 2013.

The deal will see 400 France-based, IT services professionals join Ericsson. It includes also the acquisition of TV SmartVision operations.

Devoteam Telecom & Media’s main competences are in the areas of consulting and systems integration for operations and business support systems, service delivery platforms and applications, IP multimedia subsystems, IP and radio networks and TV. The acquisition complements Ericsson’s existing strengths in these fields, both in the operator and media segments.

The acquisition is in line with Ericsson’s services strategy to broaden its IT capabilities.

“Acquiring activities of Devoteam adds unique expertise in complex, strategic and technical consulting engagements that will enable us to immediately enhance the value that we bring to our customers,” says Magnus Mandersson, executive vice president and head, business unit global services at Ericsson. “It is further proof of Ericsson’s commitment to act as the partner of choice for the business transformation currently taking place within the telecommunications industry.”