In continuation of an IP-backbone network deal struck at year-end 2007, Chinese telecommunication equipment provider ZTE announced on July 2 that it has secured a deal with ETC (Ethiopia Telecommunications) to build a nationwide telecommunications network in the east African country, according to a Reuters report.

Slated for completion in October 2009, ETC's new network will leverage ZTE's GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) bearer network optical solutions to provide NGN (Next Generation Network) and BTS-based (Base Transceiver Station) network services. The network is projected to cover 14 major Ethiopian cities, including the capital Addis Ababa.