Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) has extended its strategic partnership with Cable & Wireless Communications Plc (CWC) to transform the operator's 3G network and deploy 4G LTE technology. The agreement enables CWC - headquartered in Coral Gables, Florida, US - to continue delivering world-class mobile, data and voice consumer experiences to over six million Caribbean and Latin American subscribers throughout 42 countries. It includes the modernization of existing mobile radio access and core network infrastructure for all CWC's markets.
Under the agreement, Ericsson will deliver equipment and a range of professional services, including project management, systems integration and support. It also includes software updates that deliver new capabilities in radio access, network management and network control. Meeting consumer demands for high performance, in addition to the growing need for coverage and capacity, requires continual network evolution.
Network performance is one of the most important factors for consumer satisfaction. The comprehensive transformation of CWC's network in collaboration with Ericsson is already paying off for the operator, with improvements in several key performance and customer satisfaction metrics.
Carlo Alloni, EVP Technology and Group CTIO, Cable & Wireless Communications, says: "Mobile broadband data is a key driver for economic growth in the Caribbean and Latin America. The launch of next-generation 4G LTE and 3G will ensure our customers continue to enjoy high-speed access on a superior network with unparalleled customer service.
"The extension of our strategic partnership with Ericsson consolidates our commitment to delivering high-quality communications services to our customers and to working together to keep our outstanding network position. It is key for us to be working with global, innovative vendors such as Ericsson."
Clayton Cruz, Vice President, Ericsson Region Latin America & Caribbean, says: "With this agreement, we further strengthen our long-term strategic business relationship with Cable & Wireless by supporting them in meeting their commitment to excellent services for their subscribers in the Caribbean and Latin America."
"According to our worldwide benchmark, CWC's regional mobile network ranks with the best-in-class worldwide. In a very competitive Networked Society, a network with superior performance is one of the key differentiators and a strategic asset for operators. Our collaboration ensures the delivery of a high-quality mobile broadband experience."
According to the latest Ericsson Mobility Report, by 2020 86 percent of all mobile data traffic in the Caribbean and Latin America will come from smartphones, while 78 percent of data traffic in the region will be from LTE. In addition, mobile data traffic is expected to grow seven-fold in the region by 2020.
Ericsson is present today in all high-traffic LTE markets, including the US, Japan and South Korea, and is ranked first in handling global LTE traffic. Forty percent of the world's mobile traffic is carried over Ericsson networks - twice as much mobile traffic as the closest competitor. Ericsson is first in LTE market share within the world's top 100 cities. More than 220 LTE RAN and Evolved Packet Core networks have been delivered by Ericsson worldwide, of which 170 are live commercially.
