Saturday, August 24, 2013

Toshiba Starts Second Phase Construction of No. 5 Semiconductor Fabrication Facility at Yokkaichi

TOKYO - Friday, August 23rd 2013 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE) Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO:6502) today held a groundbreaking ceremony in readiness for the start of construction of Phase 2 of Fab 5, the company’s state-of-the-art fabrication facility (fab) at its Yokkaichi Operations memory production facility in Mie Prefecture.

Toshiba will expand Fab 5 to secure manufacturing space for NAND flash memories fabricated with next generation process technology and for 3D memories. Construction will be completed in summer next year, and decisions on equipment investments and production levels will reflect market trends.

Three fabs at Yokkaichi Operations currently mass produce NAND flash memories, including Fab 5 phase 1. Fab 5’s construction was planned around two phases, the first of which went into operation in July 2011. After giving careful consideration to the balance of product supply and demand, and noting a recovery driven by growing demand for smartphones, tablets, SSD for enterprise servers, Toshiba now anticipates further medium- to long-term market expansion and recognizes that the time is right to expand Fab 5.

Going forward, Toshiba will expand business and boost competitiveness by leadership in advanced process technology and the development of new generation memories that answer market needs.


Outline of Fab 5

Structure of building:
         

2-story steel frame concrete, five floors

Ground area:
         

Approximately 38,000m2

Total floor area:
         

Approximately 187,000m2

Start of Construction:
         

First Phase: July 2010
           

Second Phase: August 2013

Completion:
         

First Phase: May 2011
           

Second Phase: Summer 2014 (target)

Start of Production:
         

First Phase: July 2011
           

Second Phase: To be determined later; intended primarily for technology transition of existing wafer capacity


Outline of Yokkaichi Operations

Location:
         

800, Yamanoisshiki-cho, Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture

Established:
         

January 1992

General Manager:
         

Tomoharu Watanabe

Employees:
         

Approximately 5,200
           

(as of end of March, 2013, regular employees of Toshiba)

Site area:
         

Approximately 436,800 m2 (including Fab 5)

Total floor area:
         

Approximately 647,000m2 (including Fab 5)


About Toshiba

Toshiba is a world-leading diversified manufacturer, solutions provider and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products and systems. Toshiba Group brings innovation and imagination to a wide range of businesses: digital products, including LCD TVs, notebook PCs, retail solutions and MFPs; electronic devices, including semiconductors, storage products and materials; industrial and social infrastructure systems, including power generation systems, smart community solutions, medical systems and escalators & elevators; and home appliances.

Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 590 consolidated companies, with 206,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing 5.8 trillion yen (US$61 billion). Visit Toshiba's web site at www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20130822006257/en/

Contacts

Toshiba Corporation
Semiconductor & Storage Products Company
Megumi Genchi / Kota Yamaji, +81-3-3457-3576
Communication IR Promotion Group
Business Planning Division
semicon-NR-mailbox@ml.toshiba.co.jp









Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/8317/en

Training of 34 Police Officers from Abu Dhabi Police to Fly in UAE, Sweden and Italy

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Thursday, August 22nd 2013 [ME NewsWire]

The management of the Air Wing Section at the Abu Dhabi Police, represented by the training department, organized a specialized session for 34 police officers. The session included simulated flying exercises on two kinds of aircraft and a three-stage training session that took place in Dubai, Sweden and Italy.

Lieutenant Colonel Pilot Salem Khalifa Al Suaidi, Head of the Training Department at the Air Wing Section, said that the session represents the Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters’ (GHQ) strategy for developing police entity capabilities and informing officers about emerging developments in their respective career fields. He also mentioned that participants of the first group were distributed among four other groups in Sweden and each of them got a 14-hour training session on how to fly an aircraft.

Furthermore, he mentioned that the participants of the second stage were distributed among nine other groups where each participant had a five-hour training session in Dubai. In the third stage of training, participants were distributed in 12 groups and the training sessions took place in Italy.

The lieutenant colonel pointed out that the training of all groups in each country focused on empowering the participants on how to handle a malfunction during flight and extending technical training to them on how to use the devices and equipment.

For more information about:

The Ministry of Interior, please click HERE

Abu Dhabi Police, please click HERE

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Photo Caption:

Photo1: Air Wing Section missions

Photo2: Air Wing Section missions

The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.

Contacts

The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department

Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media

Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-987-1317

E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com



 

Bloomberg Releases Report Following Client Data Review

NEW YORK. - Thursday, August 22nd 2013 [ME NewsWire]

External Review Finds Bloomberg Has Appropriate Client Data Policies and Controls in Place

Company Adopts Further Changes to Data Access Policies and Procedures, Enhances Training, and Commits to Third-Party Reviews to Strengthen Client Security

(BUSINESS WIRE) Bloomberg L.P. today released a report resulting from an external review of the company’s client data policies and procedures, led by the law firm Hogan Lovells and the regulatory compliance firm Promontory Financial Group, which concluded that Bloomberg has appropriate client data policies and controls in place. The company also announced the adoption of additional new procedures consistent with recommendations stemming from the review.

Former IBM Chairman and CEO Samuel J. Palmisano has provided independent advice to Bloomberg’s Board of Directors on the company’s client data policies and practices since May 2013. Commenting on the Hogan Lovells/Promontory report, Mr. Palmisano stated, “The report issued today is thorough, objective and comprehensive. Bloomberg’s leadership recognized the need for a more comprehensive set of policies and procedures. They acted quickly to enhance their existing structures and put more resources behind this critical priority. Based on my own observations, I support the report’s conclusion that Bloomberg currently has appropriate policies and controls in place.”

Additionally, Clark Hoyt, previously Editor-at-Large at Bloomberg News and a former Public Editor of The New York Times, led an internal review of the relationship between Bloomberg’s news and commercial operations. The company released Mr. Hoyt’s findings and recommendations, and has begun to implement them. Mr. Hoyt said, “Based on my review, I have offered recommendations to Bloomberg with the intention of helping news and the whole company adhere fully and consistently to their already-high standards, as well as to highlight areas where policies and practices should be revisited in a rapidly-changing world.”

CEO and President Daniel L. Doctoroff, said, “We know we needed to evolve, and we have learned from our mistakes. We are already implementing many of the recommendations we received. Most importantly, we have carefully listened to our clients and other constituencies, and their suggestions are helping make us a better partner.”

Peter T. Grauer, Chairman of Bloomberg, said, “Our Board of Directors placed a high priority on ensuring the experts had full and complete access to Bloomberg employees and the company’s operations to identify areas of concern and address how could we fix them.”

The reviews included:

    Examination of more than 500,000 news stories
    425 interviews of Bloomberg employees
    230,000 separate tests of client data systems
    In-depth examination of more than 350 documents, including internal policy manuals, policy notes, training guides and client visit logs

Matthew Winkler, Editor-in-Chief of Bloomberg News, commented, “These changes are part of a natural evolution at Bloomberg News and will only make us stronger.”

The Hogan Lovells/Promontory report, which includes Mr. Palmisano’s statement on the report, and the findings and recommendations from Mr. Hoyt can be found on the Bloomberg terminal at RVWS and online at www.bloomberg.com/reviews.

Company Actions

Bloomberg has taken several actions related to the Hogan Lovells/Promontory report, many of which were implemented during the course of the reviews. As noted in the report, those actions include:

    Enhancing the company’s governance framework:
        The Bloomberg Board of Directors’ Audit Committee now includes oversight of risk and compliance, and the Committee is now comprised of a majority of independent directors.
        The company is in the process of hiring a Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, reporting to the CEO. The heads of risk, corporate compliance, client data security, and security will report to him or her.
        The company has committed to periodic third-party reviews of client data compliance controls, the results of which will be made available to clients.
        These actions are in addition to the appointment of a Client Data Compliance Officer in April 2013.
    Augmenting Bloomberg’s prior client data compliance controls:
    Bloomberg has created a role-based permissioning framework, with a centralized access control team that oversees the granting of access privileges to restricted data.
    The company is enhancing its systems that monitor for unauthorized access.
    Bloomberg has also developed a framework that formalizes client data compliance policy and procedures.
    In addition to mandatory firm-wide training on privacy and client data issues, the company is creating tailored training modules for specific workforce roles.
    The company has created a central portal to provide access to training modules, and a separate portal to provide privacy and client data policies and procedures.
    Journalists no longer have access to client UUID and ADSK screens1 and their access to client data is the same access that non-employee terminal users have.
    Journalists no longer have access to Bloomberg’s anonymous chat rooms.
    Expanding training on privacy and client data compliance policies and procedures:
    Restricting journalist access to client data:

Mr. Hoyt’s Recommendations

Bloomberg has or will be implementing Mr. Hoyt’s primary recommendations as follows:

    Bloomberg is creating a cross-platform newsroom Standards and Practices Task Force, including representatives of Bloomberg News and all other units that engage in newsgathering and reporting, to formulate updated ethical guidelines and policies reflecting best journalism practices.
    Reporters and their editors will be permitted to visit Bloomberg terminal clients only for the purpose of newsgathering.
    Bloomberg is creating a newsroom Standards Editor position to be filled by a senior journalist with the responsibility for making sure that News consistently adheres to The Bloomberg Way's high standards for accuracy, rigor in reporting, balance and tone.
    Separately, outside the newsroom management structure, Bloomberg is appointing an Independent Senior Editor as an independent avenue of appeal for complaints about news coverage and to assist in ongoing development and training on best practices.
    Where appropriate, in order to supplement other measures that restrict access to client data, Bloomberg will facilitate greater physical separation between news and business colleagues and introduce further guidelines on how employees should conduct themselves in shared-use facilities.

About Samuel J. Palmisano

Mr. Palmisano served as the CEO of IBM from March 2002 until January 2012. He was also Chairman of the company from January 2003 to September 2012. Under his leadership, IBM achieved record financial performance, transformed itself into a globally integrated enterprise and introduced its Smarter Planet agenda. He serves on the Boards of Directors of ExxonMobil and American Express. Mr. Palmisano also serves on the Board of Bloomberg Philanthropies.

About Clark Hoyt

Currently, Mr. Hoyt is a Senior Adviser to Bloomberg’s CEO and President Daniel L. Doctoroff. Before this assignment, Mr. Hoyt was an Editor-at-Large at Bloomberg News. Prior to joining Bloomberg in 2010, he was Public Editor, or Ombudsman, of The New York Times for three years. Prior to that, he had worked for 38 years at Knight Ridder Newspapers in a variety of reporting and editing positions, including National Correspondent in Washington, Business Editor of the Detroit Free Press, Washington Bureau Chief and Vice President of News, its Chief News Officer. Mr. Hoyt shared the Pulitzer Prize for national reporting with Robert S. Boyd.

About Hogan Lovells

Hogan Lovells is a global legal practice that helps corporations, financial institutions, and governmental entities across the spectrum of their critical business and legal issues globally and locally. The firm has over 2,500 lawyers operating out of more than 40 offices in the United States, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia. Hogan Lovells has one of the largest and most experienced Privacy and Information Management practices in the world.

About Promontory Financial Group

Promontory is a leading strategy, risk management, privacy, data security and regulatory compliance consulting firm focusing primarily on the financial services industry. Led by Founder and CEO, Eugene A. Ludwig, former U.S. Comptroller of the Currency, Promontory professionals have deep and varied expertise in data and privacy. From fifteen offices in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East, professionals assist clients in more than 50 countries on six continents. Promontory’s affiliates complement its global strengths by providing compliance technology, reporting, financing, and funding solutions.

About Bloomberg L.P.

Bloomberg, the global business and financial information and news leader, gives influential decision makers a critical edge by connecting them to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas. The company’s strength – delivering data, news and analytics through innovative technology, quickly and accurately – is at the core of the Bloomberg Professional® service, which provides real time financial information to more than 315,000 subscribers globally. Bloomberg’s enterprise solutions build on the company’s core strength, leveraging technology to allow customers to access, integrate, distribute and manage data and information across organizations more efficiently and effectively.

1 ADSKs related to News (e.g., ADSKs raising questions about articles) are forwarded to trainers in the News division, and they may forward questions or issues raised in those ADSKs to journalists as appropriate.

Contacts

Bloomberg L.P.

Media

U.S.

Ty Trippet, +1 212-617-2443

ttrippet@bloomberg.net



EMEA

Catrin Thomas, +44 7917 000 808

cthomas106@bloomberg.net



APAC

Pam Snook, +65-6231-3637

pamsnook@bloomberg.net





Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/8308/en

Africell Gambia Crosses the 1 Million Active Subscribers

BEIRUT - Friday, August 23rd 2013 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE) Africell Holding announces that Africell Gambia crossed the one million mark with over 1.1 million active subscribers. The group’s total active subscriber base stands around 6 million and is expected to cross the 7 million mark by end 2013. Africell Gambia is positioned as an uncontestable market leader with 65% market share in a market of 4 players and a population of around 2 million. By the end of 2013, Africell Sierra Leone is expected to reach over 2.3 million active subscribers, and the newly launched Africell RDC in Congo is set to cross the 3.6 million active subscribers.

Contacts

Africell

Hala Haddad, +961 1 966777

HR and Admin Manager

hhaddad@africell.com









Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/8312/en

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts Launch In-Room and Online Magazines for Global Luxury Travelers

MCLEAN, Va. - Thursday, August 22nd 2013 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE) Created for the luxury traveler, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts announced the launch of individual magazines available both in-room and online, each with a distinct voice and point of view offering inspiring design, arts, culinary, style and travel content from preeminent lifestyle writers.

“These exciting new magazines not only extend our voice in the luxury space, but also allow us to provide relevant lifestyle content through the unique lens of our Waldorf Astoria and Conrad brands,” says John T.A. Vanderslice, global head, luxury and lifestyle brands, Hilton Worldwide. “The debut of these beautifully curated magazines reinforces the exceptional experiences awaiting each guest when they arrive at one of our nearly 50 luxury properties around the world.”

The Waldorf Astoria Magazine focuses on the iconic brand’s inspirational environments and unforgettable experiences, giving readers a glimpse into the portfolio’s more than 20 extraordinary properties and highlights compelling new Waldorf Astoria destinations such as Berlin, Shanghai and Panama City. Readers will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel & Resort, indulge on 11 unforgettable adventures in and around the Waldorf Astoria Park City and be introduced to the delights of culinary director David Garcelon of Waldorf Astoria New York where the hotel’s rooftop beehives produce honey which is harvested and served in signature cocktails, seasonal dishes as well as spa treatments.

Waldorf Astoria’s True Waldorf Service is brought to life through profiles on Leo Wang, personal concierge at Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, and Randy Lowe, the inimitable “Kite Concierge” from Boca Beach Club, a Waldorf Astoria Resort.

The Conrad Magazine unlocks a world of style and connectivity across five continents while highlighting Conrad’s newest luxury hotels in Seoul, Dubai and the Algarve. The inaugural issue provides readers a look into local culture, exceptional design and exciting experiences, including finding elephants at play in Thailand, eating the best dim sum in Hong Kong and accessing the finest contemporary art in Miami. Feature stories in the issue include profiles on up-and-coming filmmakers making waves at the Tribeca Film Festival and chef Simon Leung at Conrad Beijing who makes tea an art form.

Published biannually in partnership with publishing house, Rodale, print copies of the magazines are available in-room at all Waldorf Astoria and Conrad hotels and resorts globally. Digital versions, featuring videos and exclusive bonus content, are available free for download via Flipboard and iTunes (for iPad) or the Google Play Store (for Android), and at www.waldorfastoria.com/magazine or www.conradhotels.com/magazine.

For advertising opportunities in future issues, please contact Advertising and Partnership Director Renee James at (610) 907-8378 or renee.james@rodale.com. For more information about the Waldorf Astoria or Conrad brands, please visit http://news.waldorfastoria.com or http://news.conradhotels.com.

About Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts

Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts is a portfolio of 24 landmark destinations, each being a true reflection of their surroundings in the world’s most sought after locations. Unified by their inspirational environments and unparalleled guest service, Waldorf Astoria creates unique authentic moments through the delivery of True Waldorf Service. Personal concierges deliver unparalleled, bespoke service from the moment a guest books through check out. From signature culinary excellence, 12 world-class golf courses and 23 rejuvenating spas, Waldorf Astoria offers luxuriously appointed accommodations and unforgettable experiences. Waldorf Astoria is a global luxury brand of Hilton Worldwide with development plans to add 12 new hotels to the brand. Experience Waldorf Astoria by booking at www.waldorfastoria.com or learn more about this expanding portfolio by visiting http://news.waldorfastoria.com.

About Conrad Hotels & Resorts

Conrad Hotels & Resorts is the destination for the new generation of smart luxury travelers for whom life, business and pleasure seamlessly interact – people who know that the greatest luxury is the luxury of being yourself. A global brand consisting of 22 properties across 5 continents, Conrad Hotels & Resorts offer guests personalized experiences with sophisticated, locally inspired surroundings and connections to people and places around the corner or halfway around the world. Intuitive service is delivered with the Conrad Concierge App that puts Conrad’s services and amenities at the guest’s fingertips, whether ordering room service or a wakeup call to customizing the room’s pillow options or arranging reservations at our locally inspired cuisine and spa offerings. Conrad is a global luxury brand of Hilton Worldwide with plans to add 12 more properties to the brand’s portfolio. Connect with Conrad by booking at www.conradhotels.com or learn more about the brand by visiting http://news.conradhotels.com.

Contacts

John Walls

Hilton Worldwide

+1 901-374-6383

john.walls@hilton.com



Ani Zerounian

For Hilton Worldwide

+1 646-274-3631

azerounian@hlgrp.com

 

Toshiba Manufacturing Facilities Win Major Japan Management Association GOOD FACTORY AWARDs

TOKYO - Thursday, August 22nd 2013 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Toshiba Corporation today announced that two of its production facilities have won major awards in the Japan Management Association GOOD FACTORY AWARDs 2013. Yokkaichi Operations, the company’s development and mass-production base for NAND flash memory, was selected for a Factory Management Award, and Toshiba Information Equipment Hangzhou (TIH), the company’s development and mass-production base for value-added notebook PCs, received a Manufacturing Innovation Award.

The GOOD FACTORY AWARDs was founded by JMA in 2011 as part of its efforts to promote the monodukuri (manufacturing) potential of Japan’s manufacturing sector. The awards focus on and recognize excellence in different aspects of factory operations, from process innovation through to corporate social responsibility in manufacturing. The winners are seen as models and benchmarks for Japanese manufacturing industry.

The Factory Management Award is based on an “ideal factory” that promotes excellence across its activities and in all business processes, while the Manufacturing Innovation Award focuses on a factory’s total efforts to reinforce its manufacturing processes.

The Yokkaichi award recognizes the factory’s efforts to establish a management system that allows it to withstand fierce competition through technology innovation and market expansion. The system includes a management index focused on securing the competitiveness necessary to be No.1 in the market and realization of the world’s most advanced memory fabrication facility. It also promotes training of technicians and engineers, the use of IT to promote productivity, and an awareness of the environment in its operations.

The TIH award recognizes the factory’s efforts to develop a management system that achieve high level process innovation in manufacturing. TIH promotes close collaboration between development and manufacturing in a wide range of activities through projects with a 90-day cycle, synchronizes board and product assembly lines, operates IT-driven quality control and product management, and places a major on reinforcement of human resources development.

Going forward, Toshiba will continue to boost its competitiveness by strengthening manufacturing capabilities across its complete range of operations.

About Toshiba

Toshiba is a world-leading diversified manufacturer, solutions provider and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products and systems. Toshiba Group brings innovation and imagination to a wide range of businesses: digital products, including LCD TVs, notebook PCs, retail solutions and MFPs; electronic devices, including semiconductors, storage products and materials; industrial and social infrastructure systems, including power generation systems, smart community solutions, medical systems and escalators & elevators; and home appliances.

Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 590 consolidated companies, with 206,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing 5.8 trillion yen (US$61 billion). Visit Toshiba's web site at www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm

Contacts

Toshiba Corporation

Semiconductor & Storage Products Company

Megumi Genchi / Kota Yamaji, +81-3-3457-3576

Communication IR Promotion Group

Business Planning Division

semicon-NR-mailbox@ml.toshiba.co.jp









Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/8300/en

ZTE Forecasts Profit in First Nine Months of 2013 in Earnings Rebound

ZTE to post 9-month net profit of RMB 500 million – RMB 750 million; first-half profit increased 26.6% to RMB 310 million

Business Wire

SHENZHEN, China-ZTE Corporation (“ZTE”) (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ), a publicly-listed global provider of telecommunications equipment, network solutions and mobile devices, forecast the company will post net profit of between RMB 500 million and RMB 750 million in the first nine months of 2013, rebounding from a loss in the same period a year earlier.

The turnaround in ZTE’s financial performance this year was achieved on the back of improved gross profit margins and stringent cost controls. In ZTE’s first-half results announcement released today, the company reported net profit attributable to shareholders of the listed company of RMB 310 million, a year-on-year increase of 26.6%. Basic earnings per share amounted to RMB 0.09. Revenue decreased 11.9% to RMB 37.58 billion.

By focusing on profitability, ZTE’s gross profit margins improved in the first half. The company also benefited from greater cost efficiency, with a significant year-on-year drop in selling, administrative and research costs, in addition to the disposal gain from the sale of a subsidiary. In the first half of 2013, telecommunications operators globally adopted greater prudence in their infrastructure investments. ZTE focused on developing its business in major markets and deepening partnerships with mainstream global carriers to ensure the company’s products and services meet our customers’ needs. Revenue fell because of a drop in sales of GSM and UMTS products in China, and declining demand for 2G devices.

1) Results by Geography

The domestic market

ZTE reported operating revenue of RMB 18.821 billion from the domestic market in the first half, accounting for 50.1% of overall operating revenue. The company leveraged opportunities presented by the construction of 4G networks and infrastructure related to the Broadband China strategy, working closely with operators to deliver superior solutions that fulfill their needs. At the same time, ZTE focused on achieving improved profit margins in network contracts to ensure the company’s sustainable development.

The international market

ZTE reported operating revenue of RMB 18.755 billion from the international market, accounting for 49.9% of overall operating revenue. The company continued to focus on business operations in major markets and deepen relationships with mainstream global carriers, strengthening the development of strategic new products and solutions and frontiers for enhanced business competitiveness.

2) By product categories

ZTE reported operating revenue of RMB 19.050 billion for carriers’ networks, RMB 12.461 billion for terminals, and RMB 6.065 billion for telecommunications software systems, services and other products.

Carriers’ networks

ZTE committed its best resources on 4G product research and development to enhance the company’s competitiveness in wireless products, laying the foundation for ZTE to succeed in the new cycle of investment in wireless equipment. In the 2G and 3G market, the company benefited from efforts to optimize its product mix and achieved improvement in gross profit margin. The company strengthened its research and development, and increased marketing efforts for government and enterprise network product solutions.

In connection with wireline and optical communications products, the rapid development of the broadband market coupled with the construction of supporting infrastructure for the Mobile Internet were driving domestic and international carriers to invest in transmission networks to match increasing network traffic. Helped by this favourable development and on the back of superior product competitiveness, ZTE reported relatively fast growth in operating revenue from its international sales of wireline switch and access products, and increased domestic sales of optical communications products.

ZTE also focused on innovation in products for value-added telecommunications services, while continuing to expand business with mainstream global carriers with the aid of broadband multimedia products.

Terminals

Operating revenue from ZTE’s smart terminals continued to post growth, as the company deepened its strategic collaboration with mainstream global carriers, and strengthened efforts on brand building and product innovation, taking advantage of burgeoning consumer demand resulting from growth of 4G networks and the Mobile Internet. Operating revenue from terminal products decreased as a result of weaker market demand for feature phones and data cards.

Telecommunications software systems, services and other products

For the reporting period, operating revenue from the company’s telecommunications software systems, services and other products reported year-on-year decrease of 14.75%, reflecting mainly the decrease in operating revenue from service products.

Looking ahead to the remainder of 2013, the large-scale deployment of 4G networks, particularly the large-scale construction of TD-LTE networks in China, will usher in a new cycle of investment by the telecommunications industry in the wireless network sector. In connection with wireline networks, growing consumer demand for data services will support the construction of broadband networks around the world, while various national governments commit to build new network infrastructure and companies invest relevant in technology upgrades. Development opportunities will also abound for transmission networks deployed to complement the wireless and wireline networks. Smart terminals are becoming the mainstream devices, and demand is expected to sustain relatively fast growth.

Comprehensive and innovative solutions and stable long-term business relationships will be crucial as global carriers strive to deal with transitional shifts in the industry. In this regard, ZTE is well positioned, thanks to the development of globally competitive solutions and the company’s deepening business partnerships with mainstream global carriers.

In the remainder of 2013, ZTE will continue to carry out product innovation and solution operations to strengthen in key products. We will further strive for improvement in R&D efficiency, and maintain our focus on populous nations and mainstream carriers. The company will vigorously develop our business in the government and enterprise services sectors. ZTE will continue to exercise control on resource and cost management, and improve operational efficiency through persistent implementation of the operations settlement system.

About ZTE

ZTE is a publicly-listed global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions with the most comprehensive product range covering virtually every telecommunications sector, including wireless, access & bearer, VAS, terminals and professional services. The company delivers innovative, custom-made products and services to over 500 operators in more than 160 countries, helping them to meet the changing needs of their customers while growing revenue. ZTE commits 10 per cent of its annual revenue to research and development and has leadership roles in several international bodies devoted to developing telecommunications industry standards. ZTE is committed to corporate social responsibility and is a member of the UN Global Compact. The company is China’s only listed telecom manufacturer that is publicly traded on both the Hong Kong and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ). For more information, please visit www.zte.com.cn.
Contacts

ZTE Corporation
Margrete Ma, +86 755 26775207
ma.gaili@zte.com.cn
or
Edelman PR
Mark Lee, +852 2837 4756
mark.lee@edelman.com
Andres Vejarano, +852 2837 4735
andres.vejarano@edelman.com