(Telecompaper) Japan's NTT Communications has agreed to buy cloud networking services provider Virtela Technology Services for USD 525 million in cash. Together, NTT Com and Virtela will offer customers a single partner for the full lifecycle of enterprise network services, NTT said. Virtela's service activation and advanced management infrastructure will enhance NTT Com's broadband network services provided around the world. The acquisition expands NTT Com's services coverage from 160 to more than 190 countries. NTT Com will also upgrade its cloud-based network services with Virtela's network function virtualisation (NFV) technology to virtualise the functions of customer network equipment, such as firewalls and WAN accelerators.