New cloud-based network coordination technology to help operators deploy high-performance multi-mode GSM/UMTS/LTE networks both indoors and outdoors

23 September 2014, 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, today announced the world’s first 4G active distribution solution that supports multi-frequency and multi-mode network deployment, enabling operators to offer converged networks with superior indoor performance.

ZTE’s new 4G Qcell solution, launched at the PT/Expo Comm China 2014 conference in Beijing, uses cloud-based network coordination technology to overcome signaling leakage and interference. Unlike traditional DAS solutions, ZTE’s Qcell solution implements Pico RRU network construction and power supplies through standard Ethernet cables, reducing construction difficulty and costs, and saving 60% of the time of deployment. The new solution helps operators quickly deploy low-cost and high-performance networks with integrated GSM/UMTS/LTE indoor coverage.

“ZTE’s 4G Qcell solution provides end-users with ubiquitous access to a superior network both indoors and outdoors, effectively addressing demands for both network capacity and service coverage in the 4G era,” said Zhang Jianguo, Vice President of ZTE. “The new technology from ZTE outperforms existing solutions on the market, giving operators the advantages of large capacity, seamless coverage, rapid deployment, smooth evolution, manageability, and controllability.”

ZTE's Qcell solution uses the cell combination technology to optimize contiguous indoor coverage, reduce the interference from neighboring cells, and lower the drop rate of handoff calls. In addition, this solution uses cell splitting to meet the increasing requirements for capacity.

ZTE's transmission compression algorithms and patented multi-mode integration technologies aggregate two 20 MHz carriers for an LTE cell through an Ethernet cable, or provide GSM/UMTS/LTE, CDMA/LTE, and other wireless systems through an Ethernet cable, greatly simplifying the complexity of multi-mode indoor coverage networks. In addition, the Qcell and macro eNodeBs share a network management system, where each node is visible, controllable, and manageable, significantly reducing operation and maintenance costs.

With the popularity of smartphones and exponential growth of mobile applications, the demands for indoor wireless data services are also growing rapidly. Currently, wireless data traffic generated indoors by mobile users has exceeded 70% of the total, and users' expectations for the indoor access speed and service experience are also increasing, presenting new challenges for operators in indoor network coverage.

ZTE is leveraging its expertize as one of the world's leading providers of 4G wireless broadband solutions to drive new innovations such as the 4G Qcell solution, which has been proven in extensive trials conducted on existing live networks of customers.

ZTE has signed 160 LTE/EPC (evolved packet core) commercial contracts around the world, and has entered about 70% of the countries that have invested in LTE. ZTE has launched commercial LTE services successfully for customers including Bharti Airtel, China Mobile, China Telecom, Hutchison, SoftBank, Telenor, TeliaSonera, Vodafone, and VimpelCom.