Sprint, provider of wireless and wireline communications services, has signed a unique wireless and wireline network services agreement with global leader Ericsson.

The new seven-year agreement will see Ericsson deliver operational efficiencies for Sprint while expanding Ericsson's own network services business in North America. The contract is valued at between $4.5 billion and $5 billion (USD) over the seven-year term of the contract.

Sprint's Steve Elfman, President of Network Operations and Wholesale, believes the deal, named "Network Advantage," catapults the company to elite status in wireless and wireline network effectiveness.

"No other U.S.-based carrier has followed through on the business-enhancing vision inherent in Network Advantage. Our best-ever network performance will become even better by leveraging Ericsson's world-class leadership in network services, their proprietary tools, and the knowledge of more than 30,000 dedicated and highly-speciali s ed service professionals to power Sprint's Now Network," said Elfman.

Key elements of the agreement include Sprint retaining full ownership and control of its network assets; customers working directly with Sprint employees as their primary contact; and Sprint retaining technology and vendor selections. Ericsson will assume responsibility for the day-to-day services and the transferred employees will become part of Ericsson Services Inc.