KT Collaborates with Cisco on Software-Defined Wide Area Network Business

Comprehensive Business Cooperation Agreement Signed on the 24th

[Asia Economy Reporter Minyoung Cha] KT is entering into a strategic collaboration with Cisco, a specialist company in software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN).

KT announced on the 24th that it has signed a comprehensive business cooperation agreement (MOU) with Cisco to support the global expansion of domestic companies and to revitalize the global data service market.

Through this collaboration, both companies will jointly promote a business that combines KT's global network coverage with Cisco's SD-WAN technology. The detailed agreements include ▲joint development of sales opportunities and marketing activities ▲promotion of SD-WAN technology application testing PoC on KT's global network ▲sharing of global SD-WAN knowledge, among others.

SD-WAN is a service that combines the low cost of general internet services with the advantages of enterprise-dedicated services. KT laid the groundwork to expand its global data business by acquiring Epsilon last year, and is pursuing a strategy to digitally transform (DX) corporate global data infrastructure through the expansion of SD-WAN services.

Global data business provides IT platforms and solutions such as international dedicated lines, Ethernet, and virtual private networks (VPN) based on overseas infrastructure including data centers and submarine cables to domestic and international customers and overseas telecom companies.

Cisco is a leading company in the global SD-WAN market. According to market research firm IDC, Cisco held a 38% share of the SD-WAN market as of 2020. Cisco expects that its partnership with KT will expand the adoption of SD-WAN among domestic companies.

Jobeom Koo, CEO of Cisco Korea, said, “Through this agreement, Cisco will accelerate the adoption of SD-WAN by domestic companies together with KT,” adding, “We will focus more on supporting business growth for companies in line with the accelerated digital transformation after the pandemic.”

Soojung Shin, head of KT’s Enterprise Division, said, “Through cooperation with Cisco, we can provide higher quality SD-WAN services to corporate customers,” and added, “We will continue to promote the DX of global data services to support the global advancement of domestic companies.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.