Batelco Group has signed a contract with China’s ZTE to carry out a 2G and 3G upgrade in Bahrain. Thanks to the cost-effective pricing and efficient implementation process of ZTE’s wireless solutions, the move is aimed at reducing Batelco's capital and operating expenditure. The deal is an expansion of Batelco’s existing partnership with ZTE across the operator’s markets, including India, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

ZTE Corporation (“ZTE”) (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ), a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions, today announced that it has signed a group framework agreement with Batelco Group, under which ZTE will provide cutting-edge wireless solutions, including 2G and 3G equipment, to the Bahrain-based telecommunication company.

The wireless solutions will be deployed with the aim of reducing Batelco's capital and operating expenditure considerably due to their cost-effective pricing and efficient implementation process, which will ultimately benefit Batelco's customers. This was in line with Batelco's ongoing expansion strategy, which has resulted in over 7.5 million mobile subscribers and 233,000 broadband customers across Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and India as of Q3, 2010. Batelco is currently the only major Bahraini telecom company.

ZTE was selected as a partner for this deployment for the strong levels of technical and operational support demonstrated by the company in cooperation programs across India, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Batelco has worked with ZTE in the Saudi Atheeb Core Network project since 2008, with ZTE deploying a nationwide network using cutting-edge technology.

In India's STEL mobile company, ZTE used its project management expertise to rapidly deploy a new network across various circles, with more than 3,000 sites on air to date. In Jordan, ZTE is delivering GSM equipment for Umniah's mobile network. Atheeb and STEL are Batelco Group affiliated companies while Umniah is a subsidiary of the Batelco Group. Batelco Group CEO Mr. Peter Kaliaropoulos said that he hopes ZTE will continue to support Batelco in a similar way in the future.

"This cooperation demonstrates ZTE's ability to provide an efficient, stable and reliable deployment, and we are confident that the ZTE's products and solutions will contribute to Batelco's continued success in the mobile broadband arena," said Luo Zhentao, general manager of ZTE Bahrain office.
Source: http://wwwen.zte.com.cn/en/press_center/news/201012/t20101210_195731.html