ZTE taken over the responsibility for the roll-out and the network operation of Germany's E-Plus

ZTE Services Deutschland GmbH, a ZTE Group company, has taken over the responsibility for the roll-out and the network operation of the E-Plus mobile communications network as part of a comprehensive managed services contract signed last year. 

ZTE signed a five-year managed services contract with E-Plus a year ago and on Wednesday announced that it has taken control of the German mobile operator's network.

The Chinese equipment maker took over E-Plus's network operations last month, replacing the previous provider, Alcatel-Lucent. It has also acquired 750 employees from Alcatel-Lucent, taking its German workforce to more than 900 and making its operations there its largest in Europe, ZTE EVP Zhao Xianming revealed at a press conference at Mobile World Congress.

Meanwhile, Andreas Pfisterer, chief technology officer at E-Plus, naturally faced questions about the impact its potential change of ownership will have on the ZTE deal. Telefonica in July last year agreed to buy E-Plus from its current parent KPN for €5 billion plus a 20.5% stake in the combined company. The European Commission is currently examining the deal due to concerns about its impact on competition in the German mobile market.