Sun has cemented a five-year contract with Telecom, worth tens of millions of dollars, to provide backend servers and software solutions.

The first Sunfire F25K server has been delivered, and Telecom recently signed an order for Java enterprise systems software. The F25K is thought to be the first delivered in the world.

The scope of the contract covers throughput computing, Sun’s N1 grid computing, and Java enterprise systems.

Telecom technology strategy and capability general manager Greg Patchell says the telco is committed to deploying Sun’s Java enterprise system in its online application space, and enterprise platforms in data centres and exchanges as the preferred deployment platform.

“Sun’s approach to delivering core enterprise software as one working entity on a predictable basis provided a compelling solution,” he says.

“Being able to reduce cost and complexity in managing infrastructure software for our critical business online delivery environment was essential to delivering new services to our customers.”

Sun’s proposal fits with with Telecom’s strategy for its vertically scalable environments, says Patchell. The new Solaris 10 operating system, scheduled for release at the end of the year, is key, he says.

Initially, Sun is working with Telecom on two projects: to upgrade its messaging platform; and the evolution of its online solution platform, says the Sun executive.

The decision to run with Sun was made internally at Telecom. EDS will continue to do management and outsourcing, and bought the Java enterprise system software for Telecom, but the Sunfire F25K was sold directly by Sun.

The tender process, which took five months, was a head-to-head battle between Sun and IBM.