CHINESE telecommunications equipment manufacturer, ZTE Corporation, may produce specific mobile handsets for the Second National Operator (SNO) Globacom, otherwise known as branded phones.
This plan may have received green light from both sides following a top management meeting held weekend between the telecom giants.
The meeting held at the headquarters of Globacom, the Mike Adenuga Towers (MAT), Victoria Island Lagos, our sources gathered, was led by the newly appointed chief representative and Managing Director of ZTE Nigeria, Mr. Liu Shuqing and the chief operating officer (COO) of Globacom, Mr. Mohammed Jameel.
It was also gathered that ZTE was desirous of partnering with Globacom, especially as both firms were industry leaders from the developing world and from highly populous nations.
The team from ZTE also discussed with Glo management on the possibility of collaboration in the areas of equipment manufacturing and mobile handsets supply, our source informed.
Mr. Liu was quoted as lauding Globacom, saying his team was in the country to explore opportunities for cooperation with the Nigerian firms of which Glo topped the agenda.
He said the fast rollout pace of the network and its sophisticated technology was impressive and gave credence to the SNO leadership in the nation’s telecom industry.
Additionally, it was gathered that ZTE was seeking to provide fibre optic network backbone for the National Carrier among other business options.
Responding, Globacom’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Mohamed Jameel, said the SNO is open to discussions and willing to partner with the Chinese firm.
He also said that the company was always willing to associate with leaders. Jameel recalled that Globacom had through sheer ingenuity and innovation worked its way to the top in just three years of operation.
“We began by being the only operator in Africa to launch operations on the 2.5G network, offering Nigerians, for the first time, the convergence of voice, data and multimedia technologies,” he said.
This, he said, has not only made life easier for subscribers but has helped to stimulate the economic and social development of the country, especially with the launch of Blackberry, a revolutionary tool that has placed Nigeria on the same pedestal as the technologically advanced countries of the world.
It would be recalled that Globacom began operation in August 2003 and has since recorded over 8 million subscribers nationwide with massive investment in infrastructure also made countrywide.
On the other hand, ZTE team later presented souvenirs and gifts to Globacom to mark the network’s third anniversary.
Founded in 1985, ZTE Corporation is China ‘s largest listed telecoms manufacturer with shares publicly traded on both the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and Shenzhen Stock Exchange.
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