Vodafone Group and ZTE Corporation announced today a handset procurement agreement which will see the Chinese company produce a range of Vodafone-only branded, ultra-low cost handsets for sale across Vodafone's Markets.
The handsets will only carry the Vodafone name, adding to the range of devices which Vodafone offers branded in this way for the consumer market, and marks the continuation of Vodafone's Original Design Manufacturers' strategy, which is intended to bring to market high-quality and low-cost devices under the Vodafone name.
Vodafone anticipates offering the first Vodafone-branded, ZTE-manufactured handset, a 2G ultra-low cost device, created particularly for sale in Emerging Markets, in the second quarter of 2007.
Jens Schulte-Bockum, Vodafone's Global Director of Terminals said: "Vodafone's Original Design Manufacturer strategy is intended to use Vodafone's size and purchasing power to engage with the best white label handset makers and then use the power of the Vodafone brand to bring their products to market. We are pleased that we have signed this agreement with ZTE which will build on their experience in emerging markets to create for us a ultra-low cost handset as the first of a range of products we seek to develop with them."
He Shiyou, senior vice president of ZTE added: "This agreement with one of the world's largest mobile operators is a breakthrough for us and highlights ZTE's ability to develop handsets according to European Operators' requirements and standards. Vodafone's requirements include world class design and quality standards combined with competitive cost structures. The signing of this agreement has demonstrated ZTE's capability and commitment to fulfil these requirements and deliver volumes meeting the needs of a world class operator."
About Vodafone
Vodafone is the world's leading international mobile telecommunications group with equity interests in 25 countries across 5 continents as at 31 December 2006, as well as 35 partner networks. By the end of January.
Vodafone announced it had over 200 million proportionate customers worldwide. For further information, please visit www.vodafone.comMedia Contact:
Lihui Song (Daisy)
ZTE Corporation
Tel: +86 755 26775209
Email: song.lihui@zte.com.cn
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}