14 September, 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, today announced that it has partnered with Vinaphone, the subsidiary of Vietnam's largest operator VNPT Group, to build all of Vinaphone's UMTS networks in the central provinces of Vietnam. This marks another key breakthrough for ZTE in the Vietnamese market following its UMTS contract win from another Vietnam's operator, Viettel, in May 2009.

Under the terms of the contract, ZTE will provide Vinaphone with its advanced SDR base stations to support the UMTS network. ZTE’s base station solutions will maximize Vinaphone's  ROI and bring unparalleled subscriber experience and access with UMTS high-speed data services.  

With a population of nearly 90 million, Vietnam is an important emerging telecom market. According to the Ministry of Information and Communication of Vietnam, the telecom operating revenues in the country in 2008 increased by 38% year-on-year, with 82.25 million registered telephone subscribers, of which 85.5% were mobile users. VNPT is the largest Telecom Group in Vietnam with a comprehensive type of services license, and its subsidiary Vinaphone holds the largest number of high-end customers amongst all Vietnam operators.

"We are pleased to cooperate with Vinaphone to construct its UMTS networks in Vietnam," said Mr. Zhang Jianguo, Vice President of ZTE's UMTS/LTE Products Division, ZTE Corporation. "Our SDR technology will help Vinaphone maintain its leadership position through meeting the growing market needs while maximizing their ROI to achieve the best business results."

As a visionary in the industry, Vinaphone has stringent demands for project implementation. ZTE has won recognition from Vinaphone for its outstanding SDR solutions, and powerful HSPA+ and LTE capabilities. For its solid technology strength, sound logistics, timely delivery and excellent after-sale support, ZTE has become the first in Vietnam to deliver, install and adjust a trial UMTS network in Vietnam. In addition, ZTE is the first equipment provider in Vietnam to deliver networks that enable 3G calls and 3G core services.

Since winning UMTS projects from Hong Kong CSL and China Unicom at the end of 2008, ZTE has successively secured several important UMTS contacts from worldwide operators, including Turkey's largest and third largest mobile operators TurkCell and AVEA, Vietnam's largest mobile operator Viettel and Indonesia's largest mobile operator Telkomsel, representing 3 of the top 20 most populous nations.

Meanwhile, forging collaboration with world-class operators like TeliaSonera and Telstra in UMTS, ZTE has recently announced the latest progress in LTE network building with CSL in Hong Kong, further helps consolidate its UMTS/LTE market leadership.