There are obviously many, many challenges involved in building a next-generation network, but in terms of geography, not too many operators face the challenges Cable & Wireless Communications face.

As one of the largest providers in the Caribbean and Latin America region, C&W serves over six million subscribers and thousands of business customers spread across thousands of square miles and multiple countries.

Despite these challenges, Cable & Wireless enjoys an unmatched reputation for reliability and performance among carriers in the region.

So naturally we were honored when Cable & Wireless selected Cisco and Ericsson to help upgrade its IP/MPLS network in the Bahamas, Jamaica and Barbados. This new network will not only help Cable & Wireless manage its rapid traffic growth while improving overall performance, but will serve as the backbone for new IPTV, fixed and business-to-business services.

Through the next-generation strategic partnership, Cisco provided the routers and switches, while Ericsson supplied and installed the network management system and provided overall project management and customer support.

Similar to the other 100+ customers we've worked with in the past year, the Cable & Wireless network upgrade would not have been possible without the benefits of the partnership. As C&W CTO Carlo Alloni says in the video below, "It's like having two super competent, top-notch, technology leadership companies coming together and really complementing each other in what they do best."

And the partnership continues to grow. In the past few months both Vodafone Hutchinson Australia and Telefonica Guatemala chose the Cisco-Ericsson partnership to help upgrade their networks.

Just last month at CES, we introduced the Evolved Wi-Fi Networks (EWN) solution, which brings together Ericsson's mobile technologies and applications with Cisco's Wi-Fi portfolio to provide reliable Wi-Fi with the highest performance.

As we approach Cisco Live Berlin, and Mobile World Congress, we look forward to meeting with customers to discuss these solutions, as well as our plans for the networks of tomorrow.

If you're going to Barcelona, please stop by the Cisco and Ericsson booths to see what new solutions we'll be developing and offering together in the months ahead.