Nigerian telecom company 21st Century Technologies has selected Ericsson to supply, build and systems integrate a nationwide residential GPON network. Deployment to the first 10,000 homes will start in January 2009. The FTTH network will deliver high-speed broadband and services such as IPTV and VoIP. Financial terms were not disclosed.

 Under the contract, Ericsson will provide an end-to-end Deep-Fiber Access network with EDA 1500 for GPON access and fiber cables, including Ribbonet and Micronet air-blown fiber systems. The contract also includes Redback SmartEdge 1200 routers and Ericsson's IMS solution for the core network, enabling seamless access to a wide range of multimedia services. Ericsson will also be responsible for network design, deployment and systems integration services. Ericsson said the project represents a major breakthrough in the West African region, a market largely dominated by mobile communications.

Source:ericsson