ZTE @ MWC14: ZTE excels in all areas at this year’s Mobile World Congress

Written by Dr Xiang Jiying, Director of Wireless Technology, ZTE

Dr Xiang Jiying, Director of Wireless Technology, ZTE

Once again ZTE had a big presence at this year’s Mobile World Congress (MWC) and demonstrated its global leadership in telecommunications equipment and network solutions.  Executives from all levels of the organisation were on hand to communicate the directions that ZTE will be taking in 2014 and beyond. ZTE made a number of significant announcements, in particular in the widely-discussed areas of network function virtualisation (NFV) and software-defined networking (SDN). It also announced the largest ever managed services contract in Europe and demonstrated its leadership in smart city solutions.

NFV and SDN

The most talked about topics at this year’s MWC were NFV and SDN, with ZTE launching its virtualised Cloud NF (network function) solution, a world-first. Cloud NF is a solution for multi-radio access technology networks that integrates the functions of core networks and controllers through NFV, separating hardware from software and integrating all the network element functions of a mobile network, significantly improving network efficiency.

ZTE also announced its Cloud UniCore solution at MWC. This product enables the virtualised operation of EPC/IMS core network equipment by making use of the latest NFV and SDN technologies – thereby achieving flexible scaling of network capacity and deployment of networks which helps operators easily deal with complicated and changeable network operations.

Largest managed services contract in Europe

ZTE created a media buzz with the announcement of the largest ever managed services contract in Europe. ZTE took over the responsibility for the roll-out and the network operation of the E-Plus mobile communications network as part of a comprehensive managed services contract. After months of careful preparation and coordination, ZTE implemented the take-over of E-Plus network operations during a single night in early January 2014. In the course of the transfer, ZTE took over hundreds of supplier contracts, ensuring the continued use of the service organisation’s central and regional real estate, as well as the continuing employment of around 750 network services employees.

Switching on Hong Kong’s First LTE Advanced 300 Mbps Network

ZTE, together with CSL, also announced the deployment of a Hong Kong’s first LTE Advanced 300 Mbps cell sites, enabling a new maximum data connection speed in the region. This has been achieved by using ZTE’s industry-leading carrier aggregation (CA) technology to deliver game-changing speed to CSL customers. The full commercial roll-out of the LTE-A 300 mbps network will be completed before the end of this year.

Welcoming the 4k set-top box

ZTE was quick to lead the set-top box (STB) charge with the announcement of its 4K p50 Ultra HD STB, The ZKV10 B803 is designed on the Broadcom BCM 7252 chip which can decode Ultra HD video with a maximum resolution of 3840×2160. This feat is currently unmatched by traditional HD internet STBs and will help build ZTE’s presence in the high-end television market.

ZTE 10G PON network ready for commercial launch

ZTE also announced a partnership with Spanish operator Jazztelin the form of a commercial 10G PON full-service test which demonstrated that ZTE’s 10G PON solution is completely functional with all services in any foreseeable scenario. Cooperative efforts such as this show that, working together with operators anywhere in the world, ZTE can ensure customers receive the best possible products and services.

Leading the way in Smart Cities

ZTE showed what the future can look like with the announcement of its latest smart city solution, ZTE iCity. ZTE iCity is built around the Urban Operation Centre concept which consists of a cloud platform, two portals and four components. This can be integrated into existing IT systems, streamlining governments’ procedures and providing smart services for the public. ZTE’s iCity is being used in over 40 countries worldwide and in 108 cities in China. In 2013 ZTE was awarded the ‘2013 Smart City Benchmark Enterprise’ award by research organisation IDG and named ‘2013 Best Smart City Solution Provider’ by the China Cloud Computing Award (CCCA) for its smart city applications.

ZTE didn’t just make a splash at MWC, it showed that it is leading the way in all areas that matter in the telecommunications and enterprise markets.