Telecom Egypt (TE) has chosen Ericsson in cooperation with Cisco Systems, as one of the suppliers to upgrade its fixed network to a carrier-class, Internet Protocol (IP) Next Generation Network. The deal, which will address both classic telephony and new multimedia services, is an essential element in TE's mission to become Egypt's 'best total solution communication provider.'
According to the contract, Ericsson will upgrade parts of Telecom Egypt's core network of circuit-switched technology, based on AXE-10 exchanges, with a future-proof, IP Telephony Softswitch solution. The solution, based on the combination of Ericsson's Telephony Softswitch solution and Cisco's 12000 Series routers, allows Telecom Egypt to migrate its Public Switched Telephony Network (PSTN) to a Voice over IP network with minimal risk while building a platform for new IP-based services. Ericsson will provide end-to-end integration of the Ericsson-Cisco solution and related support services.
With this contract, Telecom Egypt is taking the first step towards establishing a single IP core network, including interoperability between softswitches and the consolidation of carrier-class services.
The Ericsson-Cisco solution will cover a part of the fixed-telephony network, including local and transit network layers.
Dawlat El Badawi, Deputy Chairman for Planning at Telecom Egypt, said: "Upgrading our network to IP will give us the ability to deliver new and innovative services to our customers and to increase our competitiveness in the market while re-using our existing infrastructure."
Johan Lallerstedt, Head of Ericsson Egypt, says: "One reason why Telecom Egypt opted for the Ericsson-Cisco solution is that it will help speed customer adoption of more efficient and profitable multi-service networks. The capacity and scale of the Telephony Softswitch solution also allows large cost savings through network consolidation."
Yasser Elkady, Cisco Systems' General Manager, Middle East - North Africa and Levant Region, says: "We're delighted that the industry-leading strengths of Ericsson and Cisco will help Telecom Egypt to realize the tremendous opportunities presented by an IP Next Generation Network for its operation and its customers."
The Ericsson-Cisco solution gives Telecom Egypt a secure migration path along which they can evolve their circuit-switched network to a multi-service network. It is capable of carrying large and growing volumes of voice and data traffic and enables integrated traditional fixed telephony with IP-based broadband traffic on a single network.
