ZTE has won a USD85 million UMTS contract with pan-India mobile service provider Aircel to build and deploy an advanced SDR-based 3G network. ZTE will be also responsible for Aircel's 2G network upgrade and implementing the new 3G network and subsequent upgrades. Aircel is the Indian subsidiary of Malaysia's Maxis Group.

 The new UMTS network for Aircel is based on ZTE's SDR (unified 2G/3G/HSPA/HSPA+) platform. When completed, it will not only achieve multiple modes in a single base-station, but also create a smooth transition toward next generation networks such as LTE, says company in a statement. This will allow Aircel to achieve cost-effective networking and improved mobile services. 

 ZTE recruited more than 1,000 locals for a local-to-overseas employment ratio of more than 90% in 2009 & further expanded its engineering services center in Delhi to meet the increasing demands of the market in 2010.

According to ZTE, it has 12 LTE commercial application contracts and more than 65 test networks globally, including Europe, Americas, Asia Pacific and the Middle East.