Network will replace current 2G/3G infrastructure and provide a smooth evolution path to LTE

 2010, Shenzhen, China – ZTE Corporation (“ZTE” - H share stock code: 00763.HK / A share stock  code: 000063.SZ), a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions, today announced that Optimus will be deploying its software define radio (SDR) multi-mode solution, enabling the operator to upgrade its GSM/UMTS network in Portugal and providing a smooth evolution path to LTE. ZTE’s SDR network will include SDR RAN, network management system, and operation systems and software (NMS/OSS), enabling Optimus to optimize current 2G/3G services and smoothly upgrade to LTE. The network roll-out will cover 4 regions in central Portugal.

Optimus is the only integrated telecommunications’ Portuguese operator owned by Sonaecom - a joint venture owned by the Portuguese SONAE Group(80%) and France Telecom(20%) – it is Portugal’s second and third largest provider of fixed-line and mobile services respectively. Selecting ZTE as partner for the central regions was a very important decision in line with Sonaecom’s
strategy, which is to modernize and replace current infrastructure to be ready for the coming LTE future.

 
"The Portuguese telecom market is highly competitive. In order to continue to develop its mobile network and provide to its customers a high-speed service and superior mobile broadband experience, Optimus is continuously looking for new and more efficient solutions. The choice of ZTE uni-RAN solution for central part of Portugal will allow, not only to modernize the existing infra-structure, but also to be ready for future LTE developments, helping us to stay ahead of competition” said José Pinto Correia, Optimus Executive Board Member.

"There is a growing demand for mobile broadband services, which is only going to continue with the success of data services such as email and social networking. ZTE’s SDR-based network enables Optimus to meet this growing demand for high-speed services. More importantly, this network is future-proof as it can easily support a LTE network,” added Zhang Jianguo, ZTE's general manager
of UMTS / LTE.

This is the first contract win for ZTE’s SDR technology in Western Europe and follows a series of key contract wins in the region. ZTE currently has wireless network agreements with seven of the top 10 European operators. This includes GSM/UMTS networks for TeliaSonera, Telenor, and KPN as well as LTE trials with Telefonica. ZTE is conducting LTE trials with more than 10 operators, including
Singapore Telecom, China Mobile and CSL.

 
About Optimus

Optimus, the integrated telecommunications operator of Sonaecom, was created in 1998, and since then it has been conquering the public acknowledgment in strategic areas such as network infrastructure (including next generation networks, in line with the most advanced in the world), the excellence of our customer service, the introduction in Portugal of new modes of communicating and the leadership in mobile broadband access. The different business units that constitute Optimus share the DNA of a unique brand, whose distinctive
characteristics are Innovation and Dynamism. Our focus on the deep knowledge of the each customer’s expectations, and the ability of defying all the paradigms, has allowed Optimus to deliver its more than 3 Million customers, different, intelligent and outstanding offers.