Chinese equipment vendor ZTE has announced that it has agreed a deal with Portugal’s third largest operator by subscribers, Optimus, to deploy a software defined radio (SDR) multi-mode platform, enabling the operator to upgrade its GSM/UMTS networks while providing a smooth evolution path to Long Term Evolution (LTE). The SDR network will include ZTE’s SDR RAN solution, network management system, operating systems and software (NMS/OSS). The network rollout will initially cover four regions in central Portugal. ‘The Portuguese telecom market is highly competitive. In order to continue to develop its mobile network and provide to its customers a high speed service and superior mobile broadband experience, Optimus is continuously looking for new and more efficient solutions. The choice of ZTE’s uni-RAN solution for central Portugal will allow, not only the modernisation of existing infrastructure, but also the preparation for future LTE developments, helping us to stay ahead of competition,’ said Jose Pinto Correia, Optimus executive board member.

 source:telegeography