STMicroelectronics and Ericsson today announced the completion of the agreement to merge Ericsson mobile platforms and ST-NRP wireless into a joint venture, along the terms as announced earlier last year.

The merger, which will deal in the production of Semiconductors and Platforms for Mobile Applications, will have a work force of 8,000 people, and will he headed by the current CEO of ST-NXP Wireless and Chief Operating Officer of STMicroelectronics, Alain Dutheil.

Further, it will have balanced governance, with the two companies appointing four directors each to the company''s board. Ericsson's Svanberg will be chairman and Carlo Bozotti, President and CEO of STMicroelectronics, will be named as the Vice Chairman.

Ericsson has pooled in $1.1 billion to the joint venture, out of which $700 million will be paid to STMicroelectronics.

The as-yet unnamed company is expected to supply four of the wireless industry's top five handset manufacturers, including Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, LG and Sharp.