With the acquisition of HyC, Ericsson strengthens its ability to support operators and service providers in the solution design, installation, integration and operation of TV services,” says Bouetard.

Multimedia and services - including IPTV, mobile TV and systems integration - are two key strategic areas for Ericsson. HyC marks Ericsson's fourth acquisition in the systems integration area over the past few years. The deal is a good complement to Ericsson's early 2007 acquisition of TANDBERG Television, the world's leading provider of advanced video compression technologies, says Bouetard.

IPTV is a key technology for telecom operators and service providers that will bring interactive and personalized broadband TV services to consumers. The IPTV market is growing exponentially, says Bouetard. “There are roughly seven million IPTV users today, but analysts expect there to be about 80 million by 2012.”

HyC was attractive to Ericsson for three main reasons, says Bouetard. “HyC gives us access to an additional 110 highly qualified consulting and systems integration professionals in the TV domain. HyC's skills and experience fit perfectly with our service offerings in the IPTV and mobile TV domains, and provide us with better operator access and credibility in Iberia and Latin America,” he says.

HyC will continue its leadership in the Spanish and Latin American markets, while supporting Ericsson globally with its TV competencies. HyC employees will be part of Ericsson's Global Services organization.

Hector Prieto, cofounder and general manager of HyC, is pleased with the acquisition and sees benefits for Ericsson, HyC and HyC customers alike.

HyC grew from two people to 110 in a less than four years, says Prieto. “We are bringing TV experience and know-how, as well as closeness to and knowledge of operators in the television arena in Iberia and Latin America,” he says. “Our customers will benefit because they retain access to HyC's dynamic expertise, but they also have access to a stronger organization, a wider roadmap and more offerings. We are proud to belong to Ericsson.”

Ericsson's systems integration expertise covers multimedia services and service network, telecom management, IP-packet backbone, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), satellite communications and national security and public safety solutions. Each year, Ericsson delivers roughly 1000 systems integration projects - in multi-vendor and multi-technology environments - to operators and enterprises.