SHENZHEN, China -- The people of Santiago, the capital city of Chile, are to become the first in the country to have access to a state-of-the-art GSM WLL system - being provided by ZTE of China in a contract with leading local IDD (International Distance Dialing) operator Transam.

The system is a mixed solution between mobile and fixed networks and is based on GSM technology, using fixed wireless terminals to realize WLL technology. It will bring advanced communications technology to the 200,000 inhabitants of Santiago. This is the latest success for ZTE in South America during 2004 and follows major contract wins with Brazilian CDMA operator VIVO and Telefonica in Peru.

"South America is an important and fast-growing market for ZTE and we are committed to providing competitive, customized solutions to operators right across this continent, " said Mr Liu Jian Jun, general manager of ZTE Chile.

"We faced tough international competition in winning this prestigious project and we now look forward to bringing our world leading WLL technology to the streets - and the people - of Santiago."

ZTE has a strong local presence across South America, with offices in Chile, Mexico, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru and Argentina and a manufacturing and customer service centre in Brazil.

"Being able to support our customers locally with world-class people and service is vital to ZTE´s success," said Mr Liu. "With our local offices and increasing regional knowledge, we are now able to provide operators with the long-term support and commitment they expect and deserve."

ZTE Corp.