Huawei Signs 21CN

BASINGSTOKE, U.K. -- Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. ("Huawei"), one of the world's leading networking and telecommunications equipment suppliers, today announced that it has signed a contract with BT for the deployment of its multi-service access network (MSAN) and Transmission equipment for the BT 21CN network.

The 21st Century Network (21CN) will provide the enabling infrastructure for growth for BT and the whole UK telecommunications industry. It will require an investment by BT of up to GBP10 billion over the next five years and put the UK at the cutting edge of innovation. Lead times for the introduction of new products will reduce dramatically making it significantly quicker and cheaper for businesses to bring new and exciting services to market.

William Xu, President of Huawei's European region, said, "Huawei is delighted to be part of BT's revolutionary 21CN network project. This contract further endorses Huawei's technical innovation and our commitment to deliver customized solutions that best fit our customers' challenges and needs."

BT Wholesale Chief Executive Paul Reynolds said: "With 21CN, BT and our suppliers are leading the world in next generation networks. Where we go with 21CN, others will follow and the experience gained and expertise developed in this transformation of BT's network will set the standard for other NGN deployments. We're moving forward strongly with world class suppliers and the first customers in the UK will start enjoying services over 21CN within 12 months."

The contract is signed today after going through a two year rigorous procurement and authentication process. This is one of the single largest procurement programs undertaken in the communications industry, to underpin BT's GBP10 billion 21st Century Network programme over the next five years. This rigorous authentication process was used to assess Huawei's capabilities, which included the quality of Huawei's products and solutions, direction of Huawei's corporate development strategy, management system, quality control system, project management capability and corporate social responsibility.

Huawei believes that the 21CN project and BT's investment in Huawei's innovation will spearhead the development of more new products and services for the British telecommunications industry and is of strategic importance to both UK businesses and economy. This will not only generate more new job opportunities within Huawei UK but also for our local service partners.

Edward Chen, UK MD for Huawei Technologies, commented, "This is a strategic win for Huawei. BT's 21st Century Network is a groundbreaking solution, and we are delighted to be working with BT to deliver the Next Generation Access solutions. We are also very proud to be delivering world-class Transmission products to help form the optical backbone for the UK network and link BT's Access and Metro domains together. We look forward to creating a 21st Century network that will bring benefits to the whole of the UK."

Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.