E-Plus Group, KPN Group Belgium to significantly expand 3G networks in co-operation with ZTE

SHENZHEN, CHINA: The E-Plus Group and KPN Group Belgium have selected ZTE Corp. to supply HSPA-enabled 3G equipment for further expansion and technical upgrade of their mobile networks.

The Chinese telecoms equipment provider will support both operators in all aspects of their customer-oriented voice and data network expansion strategy, focussing investment in the right technology at the right time.

In co-operation with the supplier ZTE, E-Plus Group and KPN Group Belgium plan to further expand their 3G networks over the next years. With ZTE's future-proof technologies the operators will offer mobile data services at speeds up to 21.6 MB per second and ensure a faster roll-out of mobile broadband coverage at significantly lower costs.

Furthermore, ZTE’s technology affords an easy and fast integration of future data acceleration standards in the new network infrastructure in Germany and Belgium.

For the E-Plus Group the selection of ZTE as new telecoms equipment provider means a faster increase of HSPA-availability for their customers. Today, the E-Plus network already offers 90 percent of the German population with mobile broadband, primarily based on EDGE and 3G.

To meet the growing mass market demand for mobile data communication the company consequently continues to upgrade the 3G network with HSPA. The customers will also continue to benefit from highly attractive pricing. “ZTE is a challenger in the European market and as such fits very well with E-Plus’ Challenger strategy,” says Thorsten Dirks, CEO of E-Plus Group.

For KPN Group Belgium (formerly known as BASE nv/sa) this contract with ZTE will allow the company to plan a faster roll-out of HSPA in Belgium. “In August 2009, we have announced the kick off of the roll out of HSPA on our network to offer commercial services to the Belgian population,” comments Libor Voncina, CEO of KPN Group Belgium.

For ZTE, one of the worldwide leading providers of telecoms equipment and network solutions the co-operation with E-Plus Group and KPN Group Belgium marks a significant milestone in their expansion to the European market.

“ZTE serves the world’s top mobile operators based on our ability to consistently deliver high-quality and high-capacity network performance. We are very happy to establish this strategic partnership with KPN Mobile International and together build a future-proof network,” said Yin Yimin, CEO and President of ZTE.

ZTE will provide KPN Mobile International the products and tools to deliver the best quality network and most innovative services in the market, which should support them to compete in the market.