Ericsson and Kodiak Networks are extending the availability of a cloud-based push-to-talk (PTT) service into Europe, after the service enjoyed strong uptake in the U.S.
The Sweden-based vendor teamed up with PTT provider Kodiak to develop a platform that mobile operators and MVNOs can use to roll out services to corporate customers.
Ericsson said the cloud element removes the need for costly infrastructure upgrades when updating the PTT service, and simplifies management compared to non-cloud services.
Luigi Migliaccio, global head of IT managed services at Ericsson, said the service has been well received in the U.S. and is the "only carrier-grade PTT service that supports 4G networks…a wide range of handsets and even PCs."
Ericsson said the platform offers sub-second communication, and is compatible with 3G, HSPA, and LTE networks.
The company hosts the platform in its European data centre, and operates it through a service centre in Romania. The company said the service is particularly suitable for companies with remote workforces, including those working in the construction, oil and gas, and utilities sectors.
"Because it is based on a cloud service model, leveraging Ericsson's data centres and managed services capabilities, it is easy to adopt this PTT service and immediately offer it to enterprises," Migliaccio added.
The European launch of the PTT service comes days after Ericsson boosted its packet-optical services through a reseller agreement with Ciena.
The deal covers packet-optical distribution, and joint development of converged IP and optical distribution technologies, and software-defined networks (SDN). Ericsson said the agreement offers Ciena access to global service providers and Ericsson's expertise in wireless infrastructure and evolved packet core products, while bringing the vendor access to Ciena's knowledge of packet optical networks, elements of which will be integrated into the Swedish vendor's IP portfolio.
Jan Häglund, vice president and head of Ericsson's IP & Broadband unit, said the deal will boost the vendor's "4th Generation IP portfolio," while combining "Ciena's and Ericsson's strengths in the development of an open SDN network for converged IP and Optical transport."
Ciena president and CEO, Gary Smith, said the industry is "moving toward an ecosystem of more specialised players as the transformation accelerates toward open, programmable, multi-vendor networks that scale and adapt to network-level applications and services."
For more:
- see Ericsson's PTT release
- see this separate Ciena announcement
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