(Telecompaper) Ciena and Ericsson have announced a strategic global agreement that includes packet-optical distribution, converged IP/optical joint development and distribution as well as an SDN collaboration framework. Ericsson will offer Ciena's Converged Packet Optical portfolio, including the 6500 Packet-Optical Platform and 5400 family, to deliver a broader set of infrastructure services as customers migrate to new converged network architectures. In addition, Ciena's WaveLogic coherent optical technology will be integrated into Ericsson's IP portfolio, creating a service that allows customers to interoperate routers with Ciena's photonics. Under a collaboration framework, the companies will seek to leverage their combined resources and expertise with plans to jointly develop and co-market service provider SDN technology.