ZTE Corporation (“ZTE”) has signed a network equipment Global Framework Agreement (GFA) with Vodafone on spanning ZTE’s complete telecoms infrastructure equipment portfolio. The GFA represents a contract framework that can be used if Vodafone decides to contract ZTE for network equipment in the future.
The agreement builds on agreements previously signed by the two companies making ZTE a Vodafone Qualified Global Supplier in April 2006, and a terminal GFA announced in February 2007.
“As a major global telecoms equipment supplier, ZTE is an important potential network equipment supplier to Vodafone worldwide,” said Detlef Schultz, Vodafone Global Supply Chain Management Director. “This GFA ensures that when Vodafone companies want to work with ZTE, the structure is in place to enable that to happen quickly and efficiently for both parties.”
“This GFA gives Vodafone companies access to ZTE’s comprehensive range of network equipment that covers every possible equipment need for every global mobile communications standard,” said Mr. Lin Cheng, President of ZTE West Europe. “We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with Vodafone as a strategic global partner in the telecoms infrastructure equipment area.”
The terminal GFA signed by Vodafone and ZTE in 2007 led to the launch of Vodafone’s first ZTE-made ultra low cost handset (ULCH) GSM handset in May 2007. ZTE has now shipped over eight million units of Vodafone branded GSM handsets to over 30 Vodafone operating companies and partner networks worldwide.
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