BT selects Tellabs as ethernet mobile partner
LONDON, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Britain's BT Group (BT.L) has selected network equipment maker Tellabs Inc (TLAB.O) as its partner to support its ethernet-based mobile backhaul service.
As part of the five-year deal, Tellabs will support BT as its customers migrate from traditional leased lines to the higher-capacity, 21 century ethernet-based base station connectivity which will enable customers to manage data traffic growth, BT said.
The announcement is likely to be seen as a boost for Tellabs after the firm warned in October its fourth-quarter revenue would fall far short of Wall Street estimates, although no financial details regarding the deal were revealed.
The agreement comes as mobile operators push mobile broadband services as a new stream of revenues which results in growing backhaul requirements. Four of the five UK mobile operators use BT's 21 century service for their backhaul requirements. (Reporting by Kate Holton; Editing by Jon Loades-Carter)
