PTPTCO.IN eyes China s ZTE as leading supplier

LISBON, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Portugal Telecom (PT) is set to sign a technology partnership accord with ZTE Corp 000063.SS in September and the Chinese manufacturer could become one of its a leading suppliers, a company spokesman said on Friday. The accord will be signed at a time when PT is undergoing a cost-cutting programme while making investments in new technology, including third-generation mobile services.

"ZTE could become one of our big suppliers in the medium term. We foresee a successful marriage between a highly competitive manufacturer and customer service guaranteed by PT s Innovation unit," the PT spokesman said. "To be competitive, we need to have agile and competitive suppliers who can respond swiftly and flexibly to the new challenges presented by globalisation," he added.

ZTE is already a supplier to the UK s BT Group BT.L and U.S. firm Verizon Communications VZ.N .