ZTE to Operate and Maintain E-Plus LTE Network in Germany

ZTE Corporation will operate and maintain the E-Plus Group's network, the companies announced. The move is meant to strengthen the companies' strategic partnership through a new managed services contract.

ZTE is a provider of telecommunications equipment, network solutions and mobile devices, and also has extensive international experience with managed services. The companies have partnered for several years as E-Plus aims to comprehensively expand its network.

E-Plus aims to deliver efficiency and flexibility by broadening its high-speed 4G network infrastructure. ZTE is now the company's managed services partner in Germany, and will build, operate and maintain the E-Plus network there through a five-year contract. E-Plus will retain ownership and control of the network as well as strategic planning and development initiatives.

The companies first worked together in 2009 in an effort to expand and upgrade the E-Plus UMTS core network. The new five-year contract covers the expansion of the E-Plus LTE network in Germany.

“We can take advantage of the synergies available as ZTE not only supplies the equipment but also builds and operates the E-Plus network,” said Andreas Pfisterer, chief technology officer at the E-Plus Group. “ZTE is a perfect partner for successfully implementing our network strategy and with the transfer of network operation we take our partnership to the next level.”

“The fact that ZTE is taking over the maintenance and servicing of the mobile communications infrastructure of E-Plus as part of a managed services contract proves the capability of ZTE to deliver first class services and solutions," said Betty Cui, president Europe region and vice president of ZTE Corporation. "This step is a logical and consistent result of a close and trustful cooperation between our companies in recent years. Our goal is to support and ensure the long term success of E-Plus."