Meaningful Connectivity: ITU P2C Champion

The Partner2Connect Digital Coalition, launched in 2021, is a multistakeholder alliance initiated by ITU in close cooperation with the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology, and in line with the UN Secretary General’s Roadmap for Digital Cooperation, to foster meaningful connectivity and digital transformation in the hardest-to-connect communities, with a focus on, but not limited to, Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). ITU calls on the public and private sectors to make pledges for universal connectivity and digital transformation in the least developed countries through its P2C Digital Coalition, presenting an opportunity to catalyze new partnerships and mobilize resources to bridge the digital divide and connect those still without access to online resources.

Reaffirming commitment to ITU's Partner2Connect Digital Coalition

ZTE adheres to the principles of corporate social responsibility and sustainable development, committing long-term efforts to drive digital transformation and high-quality connectivity, aiming to enable every corner of the globe to share the dividends of technological advancement. In 2023, ZTE was invited by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to participate in the celebration event of the 55th World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD). During the event, Wang Xinhui, Vice President of ZTE, reaffirmed its commitment to the P2C effort, emphasizing ZTE’s dedication to joining efforts with ITU and its partners to achieve the vision of P2C.

Recognized as One of the First P2C Champions, Driving Equitable Development of Global Digital Economy

In September 2023, CEO, Xu Ziyang, has delivered a keynote address at 2023 SDG Digital, a high-level event hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). At the event, Mr. Xu outlined ZTE's vision and initiatives, reaffirming our company's commitment to advancing digitalization and sustainable development through P2C Digital Coalition. Specifically, ZTE pledged to construct $400 million worth of ICT infrastructure annually for LDC/LLDC/SIDS countries by 2025 and to dedicate 50,000 hours of ICT lectures globally for the benefits of local workforces in need. Furthermore, Mr. Xu fully acknowledged the power of the partnership demonstrated by the P2C Digital Coalition in leveraging global ICT technology to collectively support the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. "In this shared journey, the advancement of P2C remains our mission's cornerstone, not just for ITU but for all stakeholders. All parties should continually enhance the capabilities of the P2C Digital Coalition to align with the digital transformation strategies of each nation.” At the event, ZTE was recognized as one of the first P2C Champions by ITU,  in recognition of its leading role in advancing global digitalization.

ZTE upholds the principles of corporate social responsibility and sustainable development, dedicating itself to the long-term promotion of digital transformation and high-quality connectivity. We have made significant progress in fulfilling our commitments to the P2C Digital Coalition.   

ZTE in Africa: Shaping Digital Innovation

Since 1996, ZTE has been active in the African market, guided by the vision "To Enable Connectivity and Trust Everywhere." ZTE has witnessed and participated in the evolution of African telecommunications technology from 2G to 5G, establishing mutually beneficial strategic partnerships with over 50 regional operators and partners. The networks serve over 400 million users across Africa. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic and complex international dynamics from 2019 to 2023, ZTE remained steadfast in its commitments, delivering consistently at high standards. Over the past five years, its revenue in the African market has achieved an average annual compound growth rate of 11.7%. Presently, ZTE operates 41 subsidiaries, 19 logistics centers, 3 innovation centers, and 2 training centers in Africa, employing over 1,000 staff, with over 30% being locals. This reflects ZTE's global and localization strategies in action.

(1) Bridging the Digital Divide: Building Digital Infrastructure

In Africa, ZTE leverages its technological strengths, balancing affordability and advanced technology, and tailoring solutions to local development stages, resource conditions, and application scenarios, thereby supporting local digitalization processes and socio-economic development. For instance, in Nigeria, ZTE has successfully deployed over 8,000 wireless base stations. It efficiently delivered 3,850 sites in just two months, five months ahead of schedule. In Egypt, the company’s strategic partnership with Egyptian Telecom has resulted in the construction of over 9,300 Multi-Service Access Network (MSAN) sites, earning the title of Best Supplier for four consecutive years. In South Africa, ZTE-built networks have been recognized as the "Best Network" for over seven years, with the establishment of Africa's first independent 5G commercial network, accelerating 5G deployment across South Africa and the entire African region. In collaboration with Ethio Telecom, ZTE has been developing intelligent, green modular data centers to facilitate local data circulation, enabling innovative enterprises to conveniently leverage digital platform resources and injecting new impetus into Ethiopia's digital economy.

(2) Enhancing Digital Capacities: Accelerating Local Manufacturing & Skill Transfer

Boosting local manufacturing and skill transfer are vital to expediting the Continent's digitalization process. By promoting localized production and skill transfer, ZTE can not only better tailor products to local needs but also drive the development of the local digital industry and talent pool, benefiting the local community.

Currently, ZTE is fast-tracking the transition from end-user products to system-level products. For instance, agreements have been signed with Angola and Zambia to establish smartphone factories, enabling local manufacturing of ZTE smartphones. In Ethiopia, collaboration with Ethio Telecom has led to the development of customized servers and storage devices, locally assembled for production. Through flexible and innovative local partnership models, significant reductions in overall expenses for local operators have been achieved while providing consumers and businesses with more cost-effective products. This not only allows more African consumers to enjoy the benefits of the internet age but also provides robust support for the development of high-tech industries in Africa.

Moreover, ZTE is actively empowering and nurturing local high-tech talents, providing more employment opportunities, and contributing to local sustainable development. The company offers digitalization training programs, enabling local employees to access regular training courses, acquire digital skills, and exchange ideas with technical experts and consultants. In South Sudan, ZTE has provided 5G communication technology training and internship opportunities to hundreds of students from the University of Juba majoring in electrical engineering and telecommunications engineering. Additionally, we hope to replicate successful experiences in Angola and Ethiopia in more African countries, offering "Made in Africa" products to regional consumers and fostering more talent in the telecommunications industry.

(3) Driving Regional Digital Development: Cloud Collaboration

Cloud services are the catalysts for societal digital transformation. True regional digitalization lies in extending digitization to benefit local governments and businesses, propelling the entire region forward. In South Africa, ZTE partners with Alibaba Cloud and local firms to develop private cloud projects, marking a significant step in regional digital economic development. Private clouds offer flexible resources, enhancing competitiveness and facilitating digital transformation. In Algeria, ZTE and Alibaba Cloud deploy public clouds, empowering the regional digital economy. This collaboration accelerates digitalization, benefiting local enterprises. ZTE collaborates with Chinese internet top players like Alibaba and Tencent, leveraging their expertise to create tailored cloud-network infrastructure for Africa, accelerating its digital economic journey.

Enhancing Africa's digital infrastructure, driving digital transformation, and fostering a thriving digital ecosystem require collaborative efforts from governments, telecom operators, partners, and all sectors of society. Moving forward, ZTE will actively fulfill its mission as a "Driver of Digital Economy," further strengthening innovative collaborations with local partners, and striving to advance Africa's digital technology and industrial upgrading.

Boosting SIDS resilience and prosperity 

In 2024, ZTE was invited by the International Telecommunication Union to participate in the second preparatory committee meeting (PrepCom 2) of the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) held at the United Nations Headquarters. During this event, Summer Chen, Vice President and General Manager of Branding & PR Strategies at ZTE, reaffirmed ZTE’s commitment to boosting Small Island Developing States (SIDS) resilience and prosperity through universal connectivity and digital transformation, bridging the digital divide and contributing to sustainable development.

"ZTE is proud to partner with P2C in its mission to enhance SIDS resilience and prosperity through universal connectivity and digital transformation," said Summer Chen. In her speech, Chen highlighted ZTE's commitment to SIDS development, emphasizing the company's pledge to construct $400 million worth of ICT infrastructure annually for LDC/LLDC/SIDS countries by 2025 and to dedicate 50,000 hours of ICT lectures globally for the benefits of local workforces in need. She noted that these pledges are in line with the SAMOA Pathway and the Doha Program of Action, reflecting ZTE's dedication to sustainable development in various SIDSs.

In recent years, ZTE has placed great emphasis on promoting resilient digital infrastructure in small island developing states, addressing unique challenges such as limited power supply, spatial constraints, and frequent disasters. We have assisted these countries in embarking on a series of effective digital transformation initiatives.

(1) ZTE's Involvement in Digital Infrastructure Development in South Pacific Island Nations

Since entering the South Pacific market in 2012, ZTE has remained steadfast in its commitment to providing high-quality and reliable digital infrastructure services to local communities. Presently, ZTE has established extensive 2G, 3G, and 4G mobile communication networks, along with fixed broadband networks, in countries such as Fiji, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste. These efforts have made significant contributions to the economic development and well-being of the local populations.

Market Cooperation in Fiji: ZTE serves as the exclusive supplier to Vodafone Fiji, the largest mobile operator in Fiji. Continuously pioneering technological innovations, ZTE led the commercialization of 4G networks in 2013. Through a decade of close collaboration, approximately 600 4G sites have been established nationwide, positioning Fiji as a benchmark nation across the South Pacific region.

Solutions for Advancing Development in Fiji: According to data released by GSMA, by the end of 2023, mobile penetration in Fiji had reached an impressive 126%, with 4G penetration reaching 120%, on par with levels seen in developed countries. Tailored to the unique characteristics of the island nation, we have implemented several targeted solutions. For instance, we have adopted UBR ultra-broadband base stations in conjunction with 360-degree omni-directional antenna coverage technology. This approach minimizes the number of sites required while maximizing coverage, all while maintaining flexibility and simplicity in maintenance. As a result, significant savings in investment costs and energy consumption have been achieved. Addressing the challenge of power supply on the island, solar energy solutions have been deployed at approximately 30% of sites, ensuring smooth operation of communication sites in all scenarios. Coupled with lithium battery communication storage solutions, this initiative has significantly reduced power consumption, driving the development of operator networks towards carbon reduction. Presently, our network has been upgraded to 4G+, and upon the government's auction of 5G this year, we will be among the first to introduce 5G networks, ensuring that local residents can enjoy the most advanced and fastest network experience at the earliest opportunity.

Empowering Fiji's National Digital Strategy: By the end of 2023, the Fijian government released its National Digital Strategy, aimed at further advancing digital economic development, particularly the digital transformation of traditional industries such as tourism, agriculture, fisheries, and forestry. ZTE continues to provide Fiji with cutting-edge technological solutions and leverages its years of experience in Fiji to support the achievement of the country's National Digital Strategy. In the future, with the deployment of new technologies such as 5G, AI, and blockchain, widespread implementation of new applications such as natural disaster monitoring, automatic monitoring of sea levels and water quality, illegal fishing detection, and rapid transportation of goods across islands using drones will become a reality.

Extending Success from Fiji to Win Markets in More Countries: Our leading solutions and quality delivery have earned high recognition from our clients. The parent company of Vodafone Fiji, ATH Group, has entrusted us with the construction of network infrastructure in countries such as Vanuatu, Kiribati, and Papua New Guinea. Currently, we have established 1000 base stations in Papua New Guinea and 200 base stations in Vanuatu. Papua New Guinea and Kiribati were previously characterized by underdeveloped infrastructure, low urbanization rates, and sluggish communication development. However, with the entry of Vodafone into the market and the introduction of our cost-effective products and rapid delivery capabilities, over 1000 sites were established within a year. This has led to a significant reduction in local communication costs, an increase in mobile communication penetration rates, and accelerating of digital transformation. By the end of 2023, the number of mobile users in Papua New Guinea had surged by 40% compared to five years prior, with Kiribati experiencing a 24% increase during the same period. Additionally, mobile internet usage soared by 148% and 186% in Papua New Guinea and Kiribati, respectively.

Empowering Local ICT Talent: In addition to fostering digital infrastructure development, ZTE actively contributes to the cultivation of communication talent within local communities. We have recruited nearly a hundred employees locally and offer attractive benefits such as overseas training and career development opportunities. A standout employee from Fiji, demonstrating exceptional performance, received targeted training from the company and has since advanced to become a top-tier expert in our international solutions division. Currently, he spearheads critical projects in Europe and has earned several commendations at the company level.

Our engagement in the South Pacific region goes beyond mere commercial activities; it embodies our commitment to narrowing the digital divide and promoting sustainable development. We firmly believe that connectivity is a fundamental right, and we are honored to empower communities with advanced communication technology. Looking ahead, ZTE will continue to capitalize on the new opportunities and innovations brought about by 5G, further supporting the growth and prosperity of the South Pacific region. We are prepared to collaborate openly with local industry organizations, operators, and businesses to harness the potential for sustainable development across all island nations.

(2) ZTE's Contribution to the Development of Countries in Central America

In the Caribbean, ZTE collaborates with DIGICEL and CCT to provide wireless communication services to 20 islands: Small Island Developing States (SIDS): Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago; Associate Members of United Nations Regional Commissions: Anguilla, Aruba, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands.

In Dominica, ZTE collaborates with the local operator WINDTELECOM to provide wireless broadband communication services to residents in rural areas. Particularly, they have extended their services to over 200 primary and secondary schools nationwide, laying the foundation for these schools' information technology education.

In Belize, ZTE partners with SPEEDNET to provide wireless communication services to local residents.

As the global digital divide continues to widen, ZTE, as one of the the first P2C Champions, actively responds to its call. It steadfastly commits to promoting the balanced development of the global digital economy, aiming to ensure that every corner of the world can benefit from the dividends of technological advancement. By doing so,  we are dedicated to contributing to the establishment of an inclusive world where all individuals have access to meaningful and sustainable connectivity.