Equant zips up YKK network

YKK has extended its relationship with Equant, signing a $1.2m contract for managed firewall and other security services.

Japan-based YKK is best known as the world's largest manufacturer of fasteners.

The deal covers sites in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. YKK already uses Equant, the global networks arm of France Telecom, for IP virtual private networks. The company's European WAN is used to transport data related to its just-in-time logistics operations as well as its financial processes.

Equant competes in a market for global IP networks that also includes AT&T, BT/Infonet, C&W, NTT and Sprint. Current analysis puts the size of the global data services market at $27bn. Other Equant customers in Europe include Esselte, Lufthansa and Unilever.