ZTE Corporation (ZTE) a publicly-listed global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions has said that it has been selected by Telenor Pakistan (TP) to provide an array of equipment to assist in the construction of Pakistan’s ‘Turnkey’ 2/3/4/G national network upgrade and extension project.

As part of the project, ZTE will provide 18,000 network stations and corresponding CNs, VAS, bearer network, green power and supporting facilities. In addition to swapping the existing 7,500 GSM stations, it also will construct 1,500 GSM new base stations, 7,000 HSPA base stations and 2,000 LTE base stations. Construction will take place between 2012 and 2017. In 2012, ZTE will begin expanding and enhancing TP’s wireless network with the goal of achieving GSM, UMTS and LTE network upgrades and integration within 5 years.

ZTE will also provide full network operation management and end-to-end service network optimization services for TP. This will help the operator achieve significant improvements to network quality, allowing it to focus on its market operation services and enhancing its market share.

"Telenor Pakistan is extremely pleased to partner with ZTE on this network upgrade,” said Telenor Pakistan CEO Lars Christian Iuel. “As a long-term investor in Pakistan, we are eager to upgrade our network to meet the increasing customer needs. Telenor Pakistan looks forward to working with ZTE to ensure our customers receive superior network quality and next generation services.”

"ZTE is thrilled to be a part of this project,” said ZTE Pakistan CEO Peng Aiguang. “We are confident that the upgrade will enhance user experiences across Pakistan.”

TP is Pakistan’s second-largest telecoms operator with more than 7,500 base stations and over 28 million users across the country. It is the largest fully owned subsidiary of the Norwegian Telenor Group, one of the world’s leading mobile operators.

The TP contract win is emblematic of ZTE’s competitiveness in enterprise solutions, technology, infrastructure and service solutions. The project also will change the future of the telecoms market in Pakistan.