Ericsson has decided to refocus its Bluetooth efforts by folding the division into the Ericsson Mobile Platforms group. The move calls for Ericsson to no longer design and the develop new Bluetooth solutions, but rather support its existing customer base.

Specifically, Ericsson is collapsing its Ericsson Technology Licensing group into the Mobile Platforms group, says company spokeswoman Michelle French. "It makes sense to combine the two units," she says. The Ericsson Mobile Platforms group delivers the insides of phones, where Bluetooth technology is being used, she says. Going forward, the Mobile Platforms unit will now offer Bluetooth software as part of its offering.

As a complete division, the Ericsson Technology Licensing group employs roughly 125 workers. Between 15 and the 20 of those employees will be folded into the Ericsson Mobile Platforms group, French says. Those employees will be tasked with maintaining the Bluetooth division's current customer base. Overall, the majority of the workers are expected to remain at Ericsson. "It is difficult to say whether there will be any redundancies, but we do estimate that a clear majority will remain with Ericsson," she says.

The company has decided not to create any new semiconductor designs because so many other companies are now doing it. The business case is no longer strong enough for Ericsson to develop its own solutions, according to the company.

Ericsson says the reorganization is no reflection on its support for Bluetooth. The Bluetooth pioneer says it will continue to support the technology as a Bluetooth SIG promoter.