ZTE, Telefonica tie technology pact

ZTE Corporation has signed a global cooperation agreement with Telefónica, one of the world largest operators.

The partnership is expected to strengthen ZTE’s position as primary technological partner for Telefónica, the companies announced.

ZTE, which operates in 160 countries, already delivers several network solutions for Telefónica across 2G/3G/LTE radio access networks, fixed access networks, high capacity optical transport networks, internet protocol radio access networks (IPRAN), IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) core network solutions, power systems, and value added services and applications such as voicemail platforms.

The new agreement aims to increase ZTE’s involvement in areas where it is already working with Telefónica, according to the telecoms equipment supplier.

According to ZTE, the deal covers next-generation network innovations such as the development of ultra-high broadband via gigabit passive optical network (GPON) technology, high-resilient, high capacity transports solutions using photonic mesh networks, clearer and richer voice communications with voice over long term evolution (VoLTE) services and microwave transmission.

“Telefónica is constantly exploring new technologies that will provide a best-in-class user experience for our customers,” Mr. José María Álvarez-Pallete López says. “We see ZTE as one of our key technology partners in helping us support the ever increasing communication needs of the future. Partnering with ZTE will also support our vision of being a smart, digital telco, primed to lead the digital transformation.”

“ZTE is delighted to work with Telefónica, the leader in network innovation in Europe and Latin America,” Mr. Lirong Shi adds. “We are expecting unprecedented connection demands in the mobile information and communication technology (M-ICT) era. We are committed to providing a ubiquitous access, elastic network, and digital service telecom operation and network evolution concept to help Telefónica realise its network values and make key breakthroughs.”