UK-based British Telecom (BT) and telecom equipment manufacturer ZTE Corporation today entered into a partnership to explore next generation of fixed line, wireless and mobile telecommunications services.

The partnership will use ZTE''s knowledge of equipment and network solutions combined with BT's capabilities and experience of delivering communications services in more than 170 countries worldwide, BT said in a statement.

"This is another example of BT’s commitment to open innovation - combining with outstanding partners, customers and academic bodies to develop exciting new services and constantly improve the customer experience," BT Group CIO Clive Selley said.

The agreement is the first collaboration of its kind between the two companies. "BT’s global experience and resources are a great match for ZTE’s leadership in key fixed, wireless and device technologies, and we look forward to a close and effective research relationship," ZTE EVP and CTO Xie Daxiong said.

ZTE is a producer of telecommunications networks and devices, and produces equipment for all significant telecoms standards in fixed networks, mobile networks and devices such as broadband modems (dongles), mobile handsets and tablets.

BT consists principally of four lines of business which includes BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.