21 February 2013, Shenzhen, China – ZTE Corporation (“ZTE”) (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ), a publicly-listed global provider of telecommunications equipment, network solutions and mobile devices, and major European mobile operator E-Plus are to extend their partnership, with ZTE taking a more substantial role in the operator’s forthcoming LTE network expansion in Germany.

The E-Plus Group has been successfully working together with ZTE in the expansion of its UMTS network, the modernisation of its core network and the current LTE field trials. This cooperation will now continue with the deployment of the first phase of the next generation of E-Plus’s LTE network. In addition to the delivery of LTE base stations (eNodeB) and supporting E-Plus with the LTE network upgrade, ZTE will now implement its Evolved Packet Core (EPC) technologies, to more effectively enable the LTE roll-out across the E-Plus network. ZTE’s highly advanced LTE technologies in the access and core networks will play a major part in managing the anticipated significant increases in mobile data volumes across the E-Plus network.

“This year E-Plus will launch a demand-driven LTE expansion under themotto “Smart LTE”. This will continue our user-oriented and economically targeted network expansion strategy,” said Andreas Pfisterer, Chief Technology Officer, E-Plus Group. “The achievements of recent years have shown that ZTE is a suitable partner to pursue this strategy efficiently and successfully, for both the customer and the company."

After the rapid upgrading of parts of the E-Plus network to the faster HSPA+ data transport standard, and intensive preparation of the network for the next generation of LTE, this extended cooperation between E-Plus and ZTE is the next step in a successful partnership. ZTE will become the primary partner to deploy the LTE network for E-Plus by using the existing HSPA+ grid for LTE on 1800 MHz. E-Plus network customers can benefit from the excellent performance and high capacity of the UMTS network, with speeds of up to 21 Mbit/s, or of the even higher LTE data rates, if required.

“ZTE delivers a complete package of LTE base stations and Evolved Packet Core network technologies. Together with the existing HSPA+ network infrastructure, based on ZTE technology, we are providing E-Plus with a high-performance broadband data network solution. This is a further milestone in the partnership between E-Plus and ZTE, which commenced in 2009 and will further strengthen the position of both companies in the telecommunications market,” added Li Jun, ZTE General Manager for the Netherlands. “This collaboration has a strategic role for both E-Plus and ZTE in Europe – and also with respect to the market position of both companies.”

ZTE has also already achieved positive results in other European networks, one example being the 3 (Hutchison Group) Network in Austria, which tests in 2012 by Connect magazine showed to be the best network in Austria. 3 uses ZTE technology exclusively.

The E-Plus Group is the challenger in the German mobile communications market. Simple services tailored to customer needs and a major reduction in call and data charges can be traced back to the initiative of the third-largest mobile network operator in Germany. After revolutionizing the voice market for larger user groups now the company opens the mobile data market for the masses by its massive network roll-out and highly attractive low-priced data tariff schemes. As a result of innovative business models, modern structures and strong partnerships the E-Plus Group was able to significantly strengthen its market position and show a dynamic and profitable development.

Since 2005 E-Plus Mobilfunk GmbH & Co. KG has developed into a family of brands offering target group-specific services and thus breaks new ground in mobile communications in Germany. The flat-rate brand BASE and the mobile discounters simyo and blau are market leader in their segments, while the original E-Plus brand offers a range of services to its existing customers. The ethnic brands AY YILDIZ, Ortel Mobile and blauworld address customers with foreign origin in Germany. And the latest addition yourfone.de has opened the market for all-net flat-rates in the postpaid segment. The partners of the E-Plus group include many other brands, such as MEDIONmobile (ALDI TALK) and music TV station MTV.

23.4 million customers are using the network of the E-Plus Group to make calls and send text messages or data. The Group generates annual revenues of €3.4 billion (2012) and employs more than 4,000 people (FTE) in Germany.