NEC and China’s Wuhan Research Institute of Post and Telecommunications (WRI) have announced a joint initiative to develop, sell and support 3GPP-compliant LTE wireless systems, including base stations (eNodeB), Operation and Maintenance Sub-systems and Self Organizing Network (SON). The jointly-developed products will support both TD-LTE and FD-LTE standards, and be commercially available during 2011. NEC will be responsible for international markets, while Wuhan Fiberhome Mobile Communications – its existing joint venture with WRI – will target the Chinese market.

NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) and Wuhan Research Institute of Post and Telecommunications (WRI) announced today an agreement to collaborate in the development, manufacturing, sales and field support of 3GPP compliant LTE wireless access systems, including wireless base stations (eNodeB), Operation and Maintenance Sub-systems and Self Organizing Network (SON).
The jointly developed systems support both TD-LTE and FD-LTE standards, and will be commercially available within 2011.

NEC boasts LTE capabilities that include advanced RF technology, base station control and management technology, and optimized radio access area design technology. NEC has provided LTE solution to NTT DOCOMO, who launched commercial LTE services in December 2010.

WRI is a leading telecommunications vendor in China with exceptional sales performance that has been participating in TD-LTE tests conducted by the China Ministry of Industry and Information Technology utilizing prototype system.

The alliance announced today enables both companies to leverage their strengths and to develop competitive LTE systems.
Wuhan Fiberhome Mobile Communications Inc., the joint venture between NEC and WRI established in 2005, will market jointly developed systems mostly in the Chinese market, while NEC will mainly target additional global markets.

Looking forward, NEC and WRI will capitalize on this collaboration to promote the global expansion of next generation wireless broadband access business.

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NEC Corporation is a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies that benefit businesses and people around the world. By providing a combination of products and solutions that cross utilize the company's experience and global resources, NEC's advanced technologies meet the complex and ever-changing needs of its customers. NEC brings more than 100 years of expertise in technological innovation to empower people, businesses and society.