ZTE's nationwide fibre optic network solution will link several major Frenchcities

19 January 2011, Shenzhen– 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, has announced that European telecommunications service operator e-téra has chosen ZTE's ZXWDM product range for its long-haul bearer network.

ZTE's ZXWDM product range has already been deployed on many carrier-level networks worldwide. This proven solution enables operators to boost their networks to a rate of 100 Gbps per wavelength, providing super-large long-haul capability.

The operator draws upon its fiber optic network to provide businesses with both voice and data services and deploy operators' access networks, as well as to offer ultra-high speed Internet access to consumers through their fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) solutions.

To support changes in uses by users and offer them greater capacity, e-téra decided to revise its equipment and turned to ZTE to restructure its nationwide optical backbone infrastructure covering over 5,000 km and linking cities such as Paris, Orléans, Bordeaux, Biarritz, Toulouse, Marseille, Lyon, and Geneva.

e-téra chose ZTE not only for the quality of its products, but also for its teams' flexibility, which was a crucial factor for the operator. ZTE's capacity to honor its commitments was also influential in e-téra's choice.

The new e-téra network was deployed in less than 6 weeks from the time of commissioning. The switchover took place overnight and was conducted by ZTE teams. The improved efficiency and rapidity of operations enabled e-téra to meet its goals, as well as its commercial and operational commitments, before the end of 2010.

Daniel Bessieres, Manager of ZTE France, said, "We are proud to be able to support e-téra in its network upgrade. Our solution will enable e-téra to maintain a robust and durable network, while offering its end-users an optimal experience".

Marc Gauché, CEO of e-téra, added that “the ZTE solution is perfectly suited to our context and that of our customers. It will enable us to offer them more added-value services and to develop our offers, which is an important step in e-téra's evolution".

About e-téra

e-téra is a telecommunications operator, built on a public-private partnership (SAEM), which provides services to carriers and ISPs, businesses, local authorities and individuals.

e-téra draws upon its own network of over 5,000 km of fiber optics, supporting Gigabit Ethernet / WDM and IP/MPLS technologies.

This infrastructure offers very wide coverage both in France and abroad, including many interconnections with national and international operator networks, a national DSL portal on the France Telecom network, interconnections with other networks and local fiber optic plates and a presence at international exchange points (GIX Paris, GIX Genève)…

Today, e-téra acts as a national Data and Voice operator and is also positioned on the triple-play market where it is present in 6 French departments for FTTH.

* “Société Anonyme d’Economie Mixte” founded in May 2000 by the Conseil Général of Tarn, Gers, Tarn-et-Garonne and Lot, in association with private partners (CDC, Banque Populaire, Sorepar, Dexia).