Ericsson on Friday announced it would cut about 8,500 jobs worldwide as part of a cost-cutting program, news agencies reported, marking the largest layoff to hit the telecoms industry.

The Swedish telecom equipment maker joins technology companies such as Microsoft, Meta and Alphabet, which have laid off thousands of employees, citing economic conditions.

Most of the layoffs will be implemented in the first half of 2023 and the rest in 2024, in a bid to render the company "more efficient," spokesperson Jenny Hedelin told Agence France-Presse (AFP) following the announcement of a cost-saving plan at the end of 2022.

The Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson said Friday it would cut 8,500 jobs worldwide as part of a cost-cutting program.

"The way headcount reductions will be managed will differ depending on local country practice," CEO Borje Ekholm wrote in the memo seen by Reuters.

"In several countries, the headcount reductions have already been communicated this week," he said.

On Monday, the company, which employs more than 105,000 worldwide, announced plans to cut about 1,400 jobs in Sweden.

While Ericsson did not disclose which geography would be most affected, analysts had predicted that North America would likely be most affected and growing markets such as India the least.

The company said in December it would cut costs by 9 billion crowns ($880 million) by the end of 2023 as demand slows in some markets, including North America.

"It is our obligation to take this cost out to remain competitive," Ekholm said in the memo. "Our biggest enemy right now may be complacency."

Many telecom companies had beefed up their inventories during the height of the pandemic, which is now leading to slowing orders for telecom equipment makers.

Verizon, one of the largest telecom companies, plans to spend between $18.25 billion and $19.25 billion this year, down from a capital expenditure budget of $23 billion last year.

Ericsson Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Carl Mellander had earlier told Reuters that cost cuts would involve reducing consultants, real estate and employee headcount.

Nordic rival Nokia has not announced any plans to lay off employees.