Japanese hardware firm NEC Corporation’s unit NEC Solutions Brasil aims to grow 30 percent to $37.8 million in 2006 over 2004, NEC Solutions Brasil managing director Silvio Kiyoharu Maemura told BNamericas.

NEC Solutions Brasil, a subsidiary providing IT and communications, will be boosted by demand for new technologies such as VoIP, IP and data services this year, Maemura says.

The operation aims to grow around 70 percent in the VoIP segment and IP telephony in relation to 2005, Maemura said. Two years ago, the company’s revenues were split 90 percent voice and 10 percent data. In 2005, the profile switched to 75 percent voice and 25 percent data products.

Earlier this week Netrake today announced that its nCite leading Session Border product was selected by Telefonica, the world's third largest operator and the largest fixed line operator in Latin America, to deliver new hosted VoIP services for its clients in Brazil.

The Netrake nCite session border controller provides the security, scale, and capacity features for the delivery of VoIP services.

"We are pleased to be working with Netrake and Telefonica to implement new hosted VoIP services for its clients in Brazil," said Renato Pattaro, NGN products manager, NEC. "NEC and Netrake have worked together with Telefonica for many months to validate and certify this product for Brazil."

The agreement reached with Telefonica Group was initiated through Netrake's partnership with NEC do Brasil who handles product sales, implementation and technical support.

In 2006, NEC Solutions Brasil aims for an even split, with 50 percent voice and 50 percent data, such as VoIP and IP telephony. “We have competence in voice and data,” Maemura said.

NEC already has a 12 percent share in the market for medium-sized and large companies and has a base of 4,000 enterprise clients. Of these customers, over 150 have VoIP networks and close to 30 will implement IP telephony convergence projects, according to Maemura.

David Sims is contributing editor for TMCnet. For more articles please visit David Sims' columnist page.