Stockholm - Swedish telecommunications equipment maker Ericsson's pre-tax income for the third quarter 2008 grew 10 per cent while sales increased 13 per cent, the group said Monday.

Pre-tax income was 6.2 billion kronor (836 million dollars), compared to 5.6 billion kronor in the corresponding business period in 2007, the company reported, adding that operating profit was basically flat at 5.7 billion kronor.

The group reported 49.2 billion kronor in sales for the quarter.

The report had originally been scheduled for release on Friday.

Chief Executive Carl-Henric Svanberg said sales grew in all regions except Western Europe, adding that the group had registered "positive effects" from ongoing cost cuts and that Ericsson's financial position was strong.

The group's net income dropped 28 per cent to 2.8 billion kronor including restructuring costs.

Concerning the financial turmoil, Svanberg said in his statement that Ericsson's "customers are generally financially strong."

Svanberg added that in "the present financial turmoil, it is however hard to predict how operators will act and to what extent consumer telecom spending will be affected."

Ericsson planned for "a flattish market" next year for its mainstay networks operation.

Sales grew in the Central and Eastern Europe, the United States, Latin America and Asia Pacific, although the recent Olympic Games had contributed to lower activity in China. (dpa)