LAS VEGAS and PLAINFIELD, Ind., April 1, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- ZTE USA, Inc. a subsidiary of ZTE Corporation, a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions, and Brightpoint North America L.P. ("Brightpoint") a subsidiary of Brightpoint, Inc. (Nasdaq:CELL) a global leader in the distribution of wireless devices and provider of customized logistic services, today announced at CTIA Wireless 2008 a U.S. distribution sales agreement. The deal with Brightpoint marks an important milestone for ZTE USA in increasing the company's penetration of the U.S. market by providing ZTE's innovative and affordable phones to carriers nationwide. Under the terms of the agreement, Brightpoint will resell ZTE's high quality, feature-rich wireless devices to its extensive sales channel in the U.S. beginning with the ZTE C88.
"This distribution deal is very significant to our U.S. growth strategy and reflects ZTE's proven success in the market," said Dr. George Sun, CEO of ZTE USA. "Adding to the recent momentum our company has experienced in the U.S., we are confident that Brightpoint's extensive network of sales channels will increase our customer reach across the U.S., which is crucial to building our brand in this market and increasing our customer base. By working with Brightpoint, it's now easier than ever for consumers to access the affordability, quality and innovation offered by ZTE's products."
Brightpoint North America is a leading wireless distributor and has provided integrated logistic services to the wireless telecommunications and data industry since 1989. The company's new distribution sales agreement with ZTE will allow it to provide these carriers with ready-to-use handsets from ZTE.
ZTE both designs and manufactures its handsets in-house. This end-to-end approach enables ZTE to offer feature-rich, high quality phones at an attractive price point. In addition to the C88 announced in February 2008, ZTE USA also announced at CTIA Wireless the addition of two full-featured and competitively priced handsets for the U.S. market, the C78 and C79 music phone.
About ZTE USA and ZTE
ZTE USA Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of ZTE Corporation, a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions, is headquartered in Dallas, TX, with offices in Iselin, NJ, Chicago, IL and San Diego, CA. ZTE USA is leveraging ZTE's proven strength in IP and wireless technologies, strong R&D capability, and strategic industry partnerships to bring innovative wireless and wireline solutions and mobile handsets to the U.S. market. www.zteusa.com
ZTE delivers innovative, custom-made products and services to customers in more than 120 countries, helping them achieve continued revenue growth and shape the future of the world's communications. ZTE commits around 10 percent of annual turnover to research and development and takes a leading role in a wide range of international bodies developing emerging telecoms standards. It is the fastest-growing telecoms equipment company in the world and is China's only listed telecoms manufacturer, with shares publicly traded on both the Hong Kong and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges. ZTE was the only Chinese IT and telecoms manufacturer listed in Business Week's 2005 Information Technology 100 and was included in its 2006 ranking of China's Top 20 brands. ZTE was also awarded the "Most Promising Vender of the year" by Frost & Sullivan in its 2007 Asia Pacific ICT Awards, and was reported as the fastest growing telecom equipment and solutions provider among the major telecom vendors worldwide by international research firm IDC in 2007. For more information, please visit www.zte.com.cn.
About Brightpoint, Inc.
Brightpoint, Inc. (Nasdaq:CELL) is a global leader in the distribution of wireless devices and in providing customized logistic services to the wireless industry. In 2007, Brightpoint handled approximately 83 million wireless devices globally. Brightpoint's innovative services include distribution, channel development, fulfillment, product customization, e-Business solutions, and other outsourced services that integrate seamlessly with its customers. Brightpoint's effective and efficient platform allows its customers to benefit from quickly deployed, flexible, and cost effective solutions. The company has approximately 3,300 employees in more than 25 countries. In 2007 Brightpoint generated revenue of $4.3 billion and net income of $47.4 million. Brightpoint provides distribution and customized services to over 25,000 B2B customers worldwide. Additional information about Brightpoint can be found on its website at www.brightpoint.com, or by calling its toll-free Information and Investor Relations line at 877-IIR-CELL (877-447-2355).
Certain information in this press release may contain forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future performance of Brightpoint. These statements are only predictions and actual events or results may differ materially. Please refer to the documents Brightpoint files, from time to time, with the Securities and Exchange Commission; including, Brightpoint's most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and Exhibit 99.1, thereto. These documents contain and identify important risk factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contained in or implied by these forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date these statements were made. Brightpoint undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release.