ERICSSON saw a smaller-than-expected fall in second-quarter revenue helped by growth in North America, the Swedish telecom equipment maker reported on Friday.

Revenue fell 7 percent to 59.9 billion crowns ($5.69 billion) but topped the 58.3 billion expected by analysts in an LSEG poll.

Revenue rose by 14 percent in North America.

Ericsson and rival Nokia have had to slash thousands of jobs as customers buy less 5G telecom equipment.

"We expect market conditions to remain challenging this year, as the pace of India investments slow, however, our sales will benefit during the second half from contract deliveries in North America," Chief Executive Officer Börje Ekholm said in a statement.

Ericsson is benefiting in North America after winning a major contract over rival Nokia to supply equipment to mobile operator AT&T.

Chief Financial Officer Lars Sandström told Reuters that the second quarter was boosted by several customers.

The group's quarterly adjusted gross margin widened to 43.9 percent from 38.3 percent a year earlier as sales shifted from low-margin India to the higher margin US market.

It posted a loss in adjusted earnings before interest and taxes of 11.9 billion crowns versus a profit of 2.8 billion a year earlier reflecting an impairment it booked on its acquisition of Vonage.