Ericsson, Cisco to strengthen Nextel IP network in Brazil

NEW DELHI: The Ericsson and Cisco partnership has secured its first agreement in Brazil, with the two companies working together to supply and install IP routers for Nextel.

The key components in the combined offering include a combination of hardware from Cisco, and services and project management from Ericsson.

Nextel's IP network in Brazil will be strengthened to support traffic growth and improve performance on the mobile network.

Jorge Braga, Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, Nextel, says: "Ericsson and Cisco are already long-term suppliers to Nextel, and their alliance makes them good partners to strengthen our IP network. We needed a powerful and intelligent solution to improve our IP network in Brazil, and that's what we have secured with this deal."

Eduardo Ricotta, Vice President, Ericsson Latin America and Caribbean, says: "Our teams complemented each other with the right approach, from network analysis and planning to systems integration and customer support from Ericsson, to selecting the right routers from Cisco, and finally implementation with Ericsson services. The partnership has delivered real value to Nextel in terms of delivering end-to-end IP solution to meet the operator's needs."

The deal includes Cisco routers (ASR9010), supply and installation, overall project management, and customer support.

Yvette Kanouff, SVP and GM, Service Provider Business, Cisco, says: "Together, Cisco and Ericsson have the best mix of engagement required to support operators like Nextel address data traffic challenges. Working together on this project, we will support Nextel's mobile broadband offering and help them deliver better network performance for customers."

Ericsson and Cisco - two industry leaders in the development and delivery of networking, mobility, and cloud - formed a global business and technology partnership in November 2015 to create the networks of the future. The partnership offers customers the best of both companies: routing, data center, networking, cloud, mobility, management and control, and global services capabilities.

The next-generation strategic partnership will drive growth, accelerate innovation, and speed digital transformation demanded by customers across industries. To date, over 300 active customer engagements have now started to turn into won deals. More than 100 deals, spread around the world, are in IP (routing and transport) and services. The companies announced deals with 3 Italy, Vodafone Portugal, Aster Dominican Republic and Cable & Wireless in Caribbean in 2016 as well as with Telefónica Guatemala and Vodafone Hutchison Australia this year.

The Ericsson/Cisco partnership has been cleared by Brazilian regulatory authorities and will be implemented there under local agreements.