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2004-12-27

Benin operator OPT to work with ZTE on the country´s existing GSM network

Developing West African state Benin is to become the latest country to benefit from the mobile communications technology of ZTE ? China´s largest listed telecommunications company.

In a contract with local operator OPT (Office des Postes et Telecommunications), ZTE is to provide a complete GSM national network in Benin - including GPRS capability on its existing GSM network.

"We will be working together with OPT to provide the best possible GSM network for Benin and its people and we will be paying high regard to local geographical conditions, population distribution and the various regional economic features," said a ZTE´s African Sales Manager.

"This is our latest success in Africa, which is a very important market for ZTE, and we are excited by the opportunities presented here to extend our reputation for world-class equipment backed by local support and expertise." This sales manager added.

A special ceremony was held in Benin to mark the signing of the contract. This was attended by more than 100 people, including the Telecommunication Minister of Benin, the Vice Telecommunication Minister of Benin, the Ambassador of China in Benin, the CEO of OPT, and the General Manager of ZTE in Benin. At the ceremony, the Telecommunication Minister praised China highly for its great success in the telecom industry in recent years and expressed his wishes that ZTE and OPT will cooperate together for the future development of the telecom industry of Benin.

ZTE´s market share in Africa is expanding rapidly. ZTE´s products have already been deployed in Egypt, Nigeria, Tunisia, Kenya, Zambia, Algeria, and Ethiopia. In 2003, ZTE built Africa´s largest CDMA WLL in Algeria. In Sept of 2004, the first WCDMA network was launched in Tunisia by ZTE. In the same month, ZTE won the biggest CDMA WLL order from STC, Saudi Arabia´s largest telecom operator.

ZTE´s GSM solutions have played a significant role in developing ZTE´s overseas market presence. The GSM solutions have already been deployed in more than 20 countries e.g. Russia, Nigeria, Algeria and India. ZTE has also become a strategic partner with dozens of major international telecommunication operators, which have identified ZTE as leading international vendor.

ZTE is one of the few wireless providers in the world market today that can provide a total solution in CDMA, GSM and PHS. It continually invests about 10% of revenues in research and development and has established 11 R&D centers around the world.