Ericsson, Cisco Win NGN Project

STOCKHOLM -- Telesur, the incumbent operator in Surinam, has selected Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERICY) to provide and deploy an IP Next-Generation Network solution in alliance with Cisco Systems. By deploying this new infrastructure, Telesur will be able to deliver such value-added IP Ethernet services as conference calling, presence, video-conferencing, instant messaging and multimedia functionalities over its installed base.

Additionally, Ericsson will expand Telesur's core system and deploy an IP Service Management Solution in Latin America to allow the operator to provide end-to-end data provisioning. At the same time, Telesur will enhance its fixed offering, delivering new services more cost effectively over its current network.

Dirk Currie, General Director of Telesur, says that in a growing market, the company's key priority is to expand and modernize while maintaining end-users' loyalty through new, high-quality services at attractive prices. "We will be able to satisfy current and future capacity needs and provide the latest, advanced services," he says.

Adrian Arellano, Country Manager, Ericsson Guyanas, says he is pleased to continue the partnership with Telesur and, through the strategic alliance with Cisco, Ericsson will be able to expand and modernize Telesur's data network. "The contract is a strong confirmation of the importance of the alliance and of our offering in modernizing fixed networks by accelerating the migration from TDM telephony systems legacy to new packet-based voice, data and multimedia network," he says.

Ericsson AB (Nasdaq: ERIC)