The partnership requires ZTE to build a network for the carrier across the region, and it will use the company’s new IP transport products for several core and convergence rings to enhance the capacities over metro Ethernet.
Smart is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Filipino carrier PLDT, which said it is planning to develop an LTE network that covers 95% of the population in three years. ZTE has widespread experience in deploying similar IP-based products in the Asia-Pacific region, and its network supports layers, automatic fault detection for fast protection switching, performance monitoring, fault locating and signal integrity.
According to market watchers, Smart is clearly attempting to tap in to the IP market in the Philippines because of limited development from other carriers. The company hopes this deal will increase market share and raise competitiveness of ZTE’s products.
ZTE said, up until 2010, its network products have been used by 558 carriers across 1277 countries.