Deal confirms ZTE as principal supplier of telecommunications networks to Outremer Telecom

23 February 2009, Shenzhen, China – ZTE Corporation, a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions today announced it has secured a commercial contract to roll out all of Outremer Telecom's (OMT) new GSM/UMTS networks in the company’s overseas territories in the French regions of the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean.

Following ZTE's successful implementation of OMT's mobile network in Martinique in 2008, ZTE will roll-out new 3G networks in Guyana and Guadeloupe, while also replace the existing 2G infrastructures for the French operator. This will enable OMT to extend its 2G and 3G networks in use in Mayotte since 2006 and in Réunion since 2007.

"The launch of our third generation services forms part of the implementation of our broadband strategy in our overseas territories.  These respond directly to the needs of our customers who want to benefit from unlimited voice and data services, as well as other innovative service offerings, all at very attractive prices.  We chose to partner with ZTE once again for this project, after rolling out networks in Réunion with the company. The professionalism of the teams and the quality of service offered to us, played a major part in our decision to work with ZTE," said Jean Michel Hegesippe, Chairman and MD of the Outremer Telecom Group.

"ZTE will be supplying OMT with the very latest 2G and 3G equipment and will continue to renew the company's existing networks within demanding timescales of just 4 to 5 months, while maintaining the highest possible quality of service for all OMT subscribers.  This contract further strengthen our partnership and makes ZTE Outremer Telecom's principal supplier of telecommunications networks," said Mr Bessières, Director of ZTE France.

Outremer Telecom operates in five overseas territories in the French regions of the Caribbean (Martinique, Guadeloupe, Guyana) and the Indian Ocean (Réunion, Mayotte), supplying services, which include; advanced data and messaging services for residential or business mobile subscribers.

ZTE began supplying 2G mobile infrastructure equipment to Outremer Telecom in 2006.  In accordance with the general conditions of the contract, ZTE is supplying a range of equipment, including: R4 Network Core equipment, 2G/3G radio stations, prepayment and SMS platforms and centralised multi-equipment supervision.

About Outremer Telecom

An operator with a presence in all the ROMs – Founded in 1986, the Outremer Telecom Group has entrenched itself in the Overseas Regions (Martinique, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Réunion and Mayotte) as the top alternative operator of telecommunications capable of offering an integrated range of fixed and mobile telephony and Internet access, to both private individuals and companies.

The keys to success: an exclusive network and a high profile unique brand, Only – The Outremer Telecom group has developed its own telecommunications network which means it now occupies a position in which it can launch an aggressive and innovative challenge in a strong growth market.  The Company relies on a single brand, Only, which benefits from having a very high profile in all the Overseas Regions and carries a modern image of quality and proximity.

A strategy of growth in a well-established market – The Outremer Telecom group intends to strengthen its position as the leading alternative operator in the Overseas regions and pursue strong growth of its Internet and mobile subscribers.  Fortified by a large potential market and capitalising on the success of its range in Guyana and the Antilles, the group extended its mobile business at the end of 2006 and then its hard-wired telephony and Internet business to Mayotte in February 2007 and its Mobile range to La Réunion in April 2007.  The group also intends to develop a convergence of its various ranges and its business customers and to offer innovative services thanks to the constantly evolving nature of its network.  In September 2008 Outremer Telecom announced a turnover of 133.6 million euros and 445,000 subscribers.