Long distance communications and enterprise internet services provider Tata Communications will use Cisco System''s newly launched routers for deploying its next-generation ethernet services in India, senior executives from Cisco said on Tuesday.

Tata Communications chief technology officer John Hayduk said in a statement that the new technology would efficiently deliver new communication services throughout its nationwide footprint. "As we continue to advance our services across the region, the ASR 9000 (new routers) will play a pivotal role in the continued delivery of world-class services to our customers," he said.

Cisco's new routers would help Tata Communications to meet its growing bandwidth needs as it continues to add advanced products and services, the largest maker of networking equipment said.

Neither company shared the details of the deal size. Tata Communications has been a partner with Cisco for a long time, an industry watcher said while adding that the new range of devices would help the company compete with data service providing rivals such as Bharti Airtel , BSNL , MTNL and Sify .

Tata Communications said while announcing its fourth quarter results last week that it planned a slew of measures to drive down network costs and focus on productivity gains. The company would also address small and medium enterprise space and would provide network connectivity, virtual private network services, security services, as well as data centre and web hosting services to these enterprises.