ZTE secures more than 25 commercial 5G network contracts as it steps up turnaround efforts
- Chinese telecoms gear maker also has 5G partnership commitments with more than 60 carriers worldwide
ZTE Corp, the world’s fourth largest telecommunications equipment supplier, said it has secured more than 25 commercial 5G network contracts to date, as the company moves to turn around its business this year after being on the brink of collapse because of US-imposed sanctions last year.
Shenzhen-based ZTE also indicated that more deals are in the works, based on its 5G partnership commitments with more than 60 telecoms network operators around the world, according to a press release from the company on Tuesday.
That news, however, failed to boost the company’s share price, which was down 2.49 per cent to HK$21.50 at the close of trading on Tuesday in Hong Kong.
ZTE’s latest tally of 5G network equipment supply contracts puts it ahead of Sweden’s Ericsson, which has reported 22 5G contracts. Huawei Technologies, the world’s largest telecoms gear supplier, remains ahead in the market with 50 announced 5G network deals, while Finland’s Nokia had 43 contracts.
The four companies are competing worldwide to supply ultra-fast 5G mobile networks – estimated to provide peak data rates up to 100 times faster than 4G – that will help power the industrial internet, autonomous driving and smart cities.