Certification to Help ZTE Further Drive World-Class PON Solutions

12 November 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, today announced that ZTE’s xPON Next-Generation Optical Access Platform has recently passed authoritative tests by the Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) organization, making it China’s first and the world’s third passive optical network (PON) equipment provider to receive this significant certification.

ZTE’s xPON platform conforms to the stringent guidelines outlined by the tests. MEF 9 ensures equipment conformance when deployed at user-network interface (UNI) for setting up Ethernet virtual circuits (EVCs) and VLANs. MEF 14 tests EVC-related performance of the services.

MEF is a global industry alliance consisting of 145 organizations including telecom service providers, cable TV operators, and network equipment vendors. As the official laboratory of MEF, Lometrix provides globally recognized, trusted certification testing. It is the foremost authoritative organization of the network industry.

The rapid growth of fiber-to-the-home/building/premise (FTTx) users throughout the globe, particularly in the Asia Pacific region, has aroused the industry’s attention. As a globally leading telecommunication solutions provider and one of the leading pioneers in the broadband access field, ZTE has a profound understanding of and experience in xPON technology and market applications. ZTE has deployed 2,600 lines of xPON equipment for global mainstream operators’ high-end market networks, including in Hong Kong, Italy and the Netherlands. The MEF certification brings industry recognition of ZTE’s xPON product performance and capabilities.

According to a recent industry report by IDATE, a respected research and consulting firm, ZTE’s FTTx shipment lead the market with 19% global market share as of June 2009. By 2014, the global FFTx market will reach 140 million subscribers worldwide, representing an enormous opportunities for the industry. 

Asia Pacific leads the FTTx market, in large part due to rapid market acceleration in China. In China’s xPON market, ZTE is the leading provider with a 50% market share. By passing the MEF standard certification, ZTE has once again reaffirmed its leading position in telecom market product development. As a member of MEF, ZTE possesses strong R&D capabilities and a commitment to the promotion of XPON technology to further propel the development of the industry.