Embattled ZTE wins contract to build Portugal's NBN

ZTE Corp., a firm involved in an ongoing controversy surrounding the Philippines' proposed national broadband network, has been selected to build Portugal's own backbone transmission network. In a statement on its website dated Sept. 13, ZTE said that it has been selected by AR Telecom, Portugal's leading independent fixed network telecommunications provider, to build the network. The network project coverage, ZTE said, will span across Lisbon, Portugal's capital, Porto, and other well-developed cities in the country. "We are delighted to again partner with AR Telecom, whom we had worked with several years back, to help build the backbone transmission network in the main cities of Portugal, allowing us to further expand our technology presence in the European market," said Mr. Li Wei, Chief Representative of ZTE Portugal. According to ZTE, its other major projects include: India's transmission network with BSNL, Tunisia's national transmission network with Tunisie Telecom, and Nepal's cellular lines network with Nepal Telecom. ZTE has also been awarded the contract to build the Philippines' $329-million national broadband network. However, this deal has been beleaguered with controversy involving alleged high-level corruption and bribery. One of the officials implicated in the controversy is the Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos, who has been accused of trying to result to bribery to get the contract with ZTE approved. As of now, the NBN contract is subject to a temporary restraining order issued by the Philippine Supreme Court. Despite the TRO and criticisms from both media and the political opposition, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has asserted that she will honor the deal. The supplier's contract with ZTE is subject to a loan agreement with the government of China. - GMANews.TV