Ericsson and Cisco announced their Internet Protocol (IP) network backbone deal with Telefonica Guatemala.

Telefonica Gautemala will utilize Cisco’s aggregation services routers and Ericsson’s integration services to ensure network modernization, more mobile broadband speed and better application coverage to its LTE subscribers.

“As the demand for high-speed broadband and application coverage is continually increasing, we are happy to offer our subscribers a modern, IP-based network throughout Guatemala,” said Daniel Delisante, regional CTO, Telefonica Central America.

The IP solution includes Ericsson’s implementation and integration services, as well as Cisco ASR 9010 and ASR 1001 routers.

Telefonica Guatemala’s new network backbone will support features, including Ethernet services, VPNs, and IPv6. The network modernization also paves the way for future network requirements based on Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) and cloud implementations, providing future-proof technology to end users.

Guatemala currently has approximately 3.2 million 3G subscribers. Telefonica entered the 3G market in 2005, and the operator today has approximately 7 million subscribers in Guatemala.

Ericsson and Cisco, which announced their partnership in November 2015, said over 250 customer engagements have now started to turn into won deals. More than 60 deals, spread around the world, are in IP (routing and transport) and services.

Ericsson and Cisco announced deals with 3 Italy, Vodafone Portugal, Aster Dominican Republic and Cable & Wireless in the Caribbean in 2016.