New Network Provides High-Speed Wireless Download Rate of up to 21Mbps

31 March 2009, Shenzhen, China – ZTE Corporation (“ZTE”) (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ), a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions, together with Hong Kong’s number one mobile operator CSL Limited, today announced the availability of the world’s first SDR-based HSPA+ All IP commercial network. Jointly developed by the two companies, the new HSPA+ network will provide CSL subscribers with high-speed wireless download of up to 21Mbps, considered the world’s fastest 3G commercial network ever developed. CSL invested hundreds of millions of dollars to establish the network.

Developed in stages since the network project begun construction in March last year, the network will be up and running by end of March 2009. During the first phase of the project, CSL deployed ZTE’s state-of-the-art SDR technology that allows CSL to flexibly manage their network modules and services. This enables CSL to enhance subscribers’ mobile experience through faster wireless transmission speed.

Following the launch of the network, Hong Kong people can now experience the fastest 3G network in the world. For the business community, Next G™ means world leading infrastructure underpinning advanced corporate applications that maximize efficiency and productivity. Consumers can experience Next G™ through revolutionary mobile multimedia services that offer unparalleled usability and functionality

CSL, a subsidiary of Telstra, Australia's leading telecommunications and information services company, previously operated a GSM/WCDMA dual mode and provides four different network services. With SDR technology’s robust re-deployment capability, CSL is able to smoothly transform its existing networks to LTE, and reduce network upgrade and maintenance costs. 

“We have high regard for ZTE’s world-class telecom solutions and the advantages they offer over their competitors, hence it was easier for us to decide and again select ZTE as technology partner. With this new collaboration, we are confident to positioning the company as a role model in the industry by contributing our leading technologies and expertise,” said Mr. Tarek Robbiati, CEO of CSL Limited.

“To effectively help CSL fulfill their common business goal of addressing the growing market demand for reliable and mobile application services, we provided CSL with world-class telecom technologies and effective solutions with the lowest total cost of ownership in the industry,” said Mr. Yin Yimin, CEO of ZTE Corporation. “This is how we show our commitment to the industry – by providing our valued customers with robust telecom solutions and reliable technologies that can seamlessly upgrade their networks in order to enable them develop value-added services for their customers.  We intend to further strengthen our R&D efforts in developing more customized solutions to boost our network service quality. ”

Currently, several of the world’s leading telecom operators such as Deutsche Telekom, France Telecom and Telstra are taking advantage of the opportunities and benefits that HSPA+ offer the industry. SDR technology is a key tool for operators to easily integrate telecom technologies including GSM, HSPA, HSPA+ and LTE networks, hence providing them with high performance network construction capability.

To date, over 35,000 ZTE SDR base stations have been deployed in large scale networks in countries and regions such as Hong Kong, India, Turkey and mainland China. ZTE’s SDR solutions are also the technology of choice by the Top 10 global WCDMA telecom carriers. Previously, ZTE earned the InfoVision Award for its SDR technology at the 2008 Broadband World Forum in Europe. It has also been shortlisted for the Best Network Technology Advance Award at the 2009 Global Mobile Awards for its cutting-edge SDR solution. ZTE is the only Chinese company nominated for this global award.  

Over the years, ZTE has been actively participating in promoting the adoption of 3G in the global industry and has successfully achieved sterling results. Among the total 660,000 3G carrier frequency created by China’s three largest telecom operators in China, ZTE obtained about 30% of the total local share, positioning the company as the clear leader of China’s 3G market. In addition, it has secured a leading position in the previous TD and CDMA 2000 tenders in terms of technology and telecom market. During the first phase of the current China Unicom’s WCDMA network project, ZTE leveraged on its innovative technologies and high-quality services to establish solid presence in more than half of developed municipalities in China, including Guangdong, Fujian, Shandong and Tianjin.