BASINGSTOKE, U.K. -- Huawei Technologies, a global provider of telecoms infrastructure, today announced that it has been selected by BT as a preferred supplier of communications equipment for BT’s 21CN network strategy. Negotiations are set to continue with a view to signing final commercial contracts in the summer.

Upon successful contract closure, Huawei expect to manufacture, supply and install multi-service network access (MSAN) components and Transmission equipment for the BT 21CN network building on their recently expanded European Operations Centre, established here in the UK.

Paul Whittle, Huawei Sales Director for BT 21CN, believes that the BT 21CN project shows clear industry leadership and that BT is the most important forward looking example of a dynamic service provider seeking to move forward and embrace IP networks in the global communications market. Paul feels that the communications industry as a whole will closely monitor BT’s 21CN network leadership with a view that similar next generation network initiatives will follow shortly.

Innovation is expected to be high on the agenda, as selected suppliers work towards developing and setting new standards to ensure service interoperability. John Frieslaar, CTO for Huawei UK, stated: “This heightened level of vendor cooperation should ensure that BT is able to offer its customers a smooth transition from multiple legacy platforms including the PSTN to the new 21CN network, offering significant service improvements.”

The BT 21CN project is an important project that will offer many benefits for the social and economic advancement of UK plc. It is believed that the BT 21CN project will allow the UK to benefit from the most advanced communications network in the world, attracting and enabling new investment that will benefit ‘UK Ltd’ in the years ahead.

Huawei believe that being selected to supply BT with 21CN network infrastructure will generate new employment prospects, which will help to maintain many existing industry positions and ensure that many new jobs will be created here in the UK.

“This is a very significant moment for Huawei in the UK,” comments Tim Mao, UK MD for Huawei Technologies. “Our innovative and disruptive technology solutions are enabling major players such as BT to change and shape the way the new communications structure will look, generating competitive advantage for BT and significant benefits for the UK. This announcement demonstrates Huawei’s growing position as a leading supplier of next generation network solutions in Europe.”

Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.