Open Telecommunications has won a multi-million dollar contract for its openCI management solution from US fibre optic network operator Williams Communications. A spokesman said Williams will deploy openCI software across its entire North American network, as well as on points of presence in Europe and Asia that interconnect with the North American network. As part of the deal, Open Telecommunications will undertake additional development work to tailor openCI to Williams's specific needs, and a three year maintenance contract is included.

Wayne Passlow, managing director of Open Telecommunications, noted that the deal represents the first sale of openCI in North America, although the software is used by Cable &Wireless Optus and Telstra in Australia, by Embratel in Brazil, and by Libertel in the Netherlands.

He explained that openCI provides telecommunications network operators with the ability to process short-to-medium term planning, design and overall provisioning of their networks. It also supports the ongoing business processes of operations planning, network design and provisioning of infrastructure and services in telecommunications networks.

"This contract is the first major US business win for Open Telecommunications since it began establishing its United States presence approximately six months ago," Passlow explained. "We chose to grow organically in the US and were confident of the quality of our software products for the world's largest telecommunications market." He added that Williams will become a key reference site for openCI in North America.

Passlow this week sold down his holding in Open Telecommunications when his family company Teleinvest offloaded 13 million shares in an off market-transfer. The deal, which reduces Teleinvest stake in Open Telecommunications to about 58 per cent, netted about $A10 million.