Italtel, a major player in the next generation IP networks sector, and ECI Telecom, global provider of networking infrastructure solutions optimized for next-generation network (NGN) migration, reportedly have signed a partnership agreement for the sale and customization of optical transport systems for metropolitan networks and access platforms for voice, data, IP video and fixed/mobile convergence.

In a release, Italtel officils said the company will now be a preferred vendor and system integrator for ECI Telecom (News - Alert) technology in the building of integrated communication networks for service providers, communications providers and utility companies in the “quadruple play” (data, voice, video, mobile) access and transport markets.

Under this agreement, Italtel (News - Alert) has become one of ECI’s Global Partners.

“The partnership with Italtel strengthens our presence in important and growing international markets. With our access and transport portfolio, Italtel will be able to provide their customers with high-end platforms that are optimized for next-generation evolution,” said Tony Scarfo, head of global channel sales, and partners of ECI Telecom, in the release.

Scarfo said that in Italtel, the company has found a partner with the required ability and expertise, in addition to a strong and recognized specialization in system integration.

“The agreement with ECI is part of our plan to develop into specific foreign markets and to widen the perimeter of our products and services,” said Claudio Chiarenza, head of planning, marketing & business development of Italtel.

Chiarenza said that this partnership allows the company to extend its portfolio of solutions for service providers in the EMEA and Latin America markets with products for access and optical transport, and to adopt a structured approach to a market segment that is potentially attractive, represented by European service providers and utilities with their own network infrastructure.

ECI Telecom officials said that the partnership between Italtel and ECI Telecom will cover the integration and customisation, at the customers’ premises, of ECI’s Multi-Service Access Node (MSAN) Hi-FOCuS, and the metro edge BroadGate line of products.

The Hi-FOCuS supports voice, data and video over one, converged IP platform, while the BroadGate line is an advanced multi-service provisioning platform for the transporting of data streams over fibre optic in metropolitan networks.