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Unicom, Lucent Form Mobile Network League
China United Telecommunications Corp (China Unicom), the second biggest domestic telecom provider, signed a strategic technology partnership agreement with US-based Lucent Technologies to develop a next-generation mobile telephone network.
Under the agreement, Lucent will become China Unicom's preferred vendor. The telecom giants will work together to develop next-generation networking solutions in the areas of optical networking, network management, data, wireless, ISP (Internet service provider), billing systems, e-commerce, order management, fibre optics and switching.
The deal will benefit both parties by giving China Unicom quick, cheap access to the latest technology from Bell Labs, while opening the Chinese market wider to Lucent.
"Today, the world's communications market is undergoing a networking revolution,'' said Yang Xianzu, chairman of China Unicom, at the signing ceremony.
"We hope this new model of co-operation will combine the advantages of both parties and will enable us to outperform the competition,'' he said.
"It's truly a milestone in our strategic relationship. China is expected to become the world's leading communications market. Lucent is dedicated to developing alliances with key telecommunications players such as China Unicom around the world,'' said Rich McGinn, chairman of Lucent Technologies.
China Unicom and Lucent will also put together a technology board to discuss and evaluate new technologies and services. Lucent will send senior technology advisers to provide China Unicom with counseling and advice.
The deal comes before China Unicom lists 2.83 billion shares. Market analysts from Lehman Brothers and Prudential Securities were upbeat about the coming initial public offering.
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