27 October 2008, Shenzhen, China - ZTE Corporation (“ZTE”), a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions, today announced that it has clinched an exclusive contract from Chinguitel, a telecom carrier under Expresso Telecom Group (ETG) to help Mauritania build its first 2.5GHz Mobile WiMAX commercial network. Under the agreement, ZTE will be providing core network equipment, wireless access devices, as well as various communication terminals for indoor and outdoor use.

Mauritania has a total land area of over 1 million square kilometers, and faces the Sahara Desert in the east and Atlantic Ocean in the west. With such a complicated geographical landscape, it becomes highly important for telecom operators to establish a stable and efficient WiMAX network. After a thorough evaluation process, Chinguitel chose ZTE to exclusively provide Mauritania the core network equipment to establish its first ever WiMAX 16e Commercial Network. In selecting ZTE, Chinguitel is leveraging ZTE’s advanced technology and expertise to help them establish a CDMA and WiMAX integrated network infrastructure, covering the whole area of Africa.  

“We are privileged to closely collaborate with ETG in developing the first ever and highly reliable WiMAX commercial network in Africa. This exclusive deal further demonstrates our global leading position in providing WiMAX solutions, and marks the first time that we are partnering with ETG in deploying our WiMAX infrastructure in Africa,” said Mr. Xu Shengfei, Chief Representative of ZTE Mauritania. “ZTE is committed to providing our expertise and solutions to further expand more strategic partnerships in Aftrica. With this deployment, we hope it will trigger more similar WiMAX opportunities in other African countries.”

“It is a valuable opportunity to partner with ZTE in building the first WiMAX commercial network in Mauritania.  We are impressed by ZTE’s state-of-the-art technologies and pioneering visions, hence are confident that we can provide the African population with the most effective wireless and highly advanced communications platform to enjoy access of various wireless services,” said Mr. Elamir, CEO of Chinguitel.

ZTE is one of the strong proponents of WiMAX deployment globally, and the only Chinese company among the 15 Board of Directors in the WiMAX Forum. To date, ZTE has successfully established 30 commercial trials and trial networks for 802.16e WiMAX worldwide covering Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas.

Margrete Ma
ZTE Corporation
Tel: +86 755 26775207
Email: ma.gaili@zte.com.cn