STOCKHOLM - Telecom equipment maker Ericsson said on Friday it had signed a long-term bilateral loan of US$625 million ($907 million) with the Swedish Export Credit Corporation.

"Ericsson intends to use the proceeds of the offering for refinancing of bonds maturing within the current and next year and for general corporate purposes," it said in a statement.

The loan will lengthen the company's average debt maturity profile and provide a more efficient capital structure, Ericsson said. The loan had a seven-year maturity, it added.

(Editing by Mike Nesbit)