The NH72 HotLine was an evolution of Ericsson’s first handheld mobile phone, the HotLine Pocket. The phone supported NMT network technology. This influenced its name – with the “N” standing for NMT and the “H” indicating it was a “handheld” product.

It was designed by Richard Lindahl and it later inspired the hardware design for Ericsson’s first GSM phone – the GH172 HotLine.

Olivia, the codename used for this device, was the name of the daughter of an acquaintance of Michael Kornby, the head of Ericsson.