Zong and ZTE launch industry's first 8x120W Ultra-Broadband Radio and Digital Intelligent Antenna solution

• Zong and ZTE have announced the commercial launch of the industry's first high-power 8T8R Ultra-Broadband Radio (HP 8T8R UBR) and Digital Intelligent Antenna (DIA) solution, delivering up to a 67% reduction in RRU footprint and significant performance gains
• Results from Zong's commercial launch revealed significant performance enhancements, including a capacity increase of 34% in daily and 83% in busy hour, a user experience improvement of 173% in daily and 115% in busy hour

Islamabad, Pakistan, August 14, 2025 - ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a global leading provider of integrated information and communication technology solutions, and Zong, Pakistan's No.1 data network, have announced the commercial launch of the industry's first high-power 8T8R Ultra-Broadband Radio (HP 8T8R UBR) and Digital Intelligent Antenna (DIA) solution.

This pioneering deployment marks a significant milestone for both companies. ZTE's HP 8T8R UBR solution delivers the industry's highest power (8x120W) for FDD dual band (1800MHz and 2100MHz), which are the key bands of Zong network. It is also the first such solution to be commercially launched worldwide.

This breakthrough in RRU high integration design enables a single unit to replace multiple legacy RRUs, saving up to 67% of RRUs for towers. This consolidation dramatically reduces the complexity of deployments, minimizes antenna space requirements, and lowers the overall equipment footprint.

Coupled with ZTE's DIA antenna solution, the system supports the beamforming function by software definition which enables two 4T4R cells for current network or one 8T8R cell for the next-generation network.

The two companies are also exploring cost-efficient deployment strategies. For the scenario defined for newly rolled-out sites, they are used as "422" site which means one 4T4R cell and two 2T2R cells per site, particularly in scenarios where space and power are constrained.

Results from Zong's commercial launch revealed significant performance enhancements, including a capacity increase of 34% in daily and 83% in busy hour, a user experience improvement of 173% in daily and 115% in busy hour. Beyond improved performance, it simplifies deployment and has proven to be a reliable and efficient alternative to traditional multi-radio setups.

Zong has expressed strong interest in scaling these solutions across its network, citing clear operational benefits, cost savings, and improved service quality.

This milestone underscores the shared commitment of Zong and ZTE to driving technological innovation and delivering next-generation network experiences. Through close collaboration, both companies are not only accelerating the evolution of Pakistan's digital infrastructure but also setting a new benchmark for efficient, high-performance mobile networks across emerging markets. As the partnership deepens, Zong and ZTE will continue to explore cutting-edge solutions that empower users and enable sustainable growth.