Giving world benefit of safe 5G networks with 'really big' vision

As one of the largest Chinese companies operating in Austria, ZTE Austria GmbH employs more than 100 people, with over 60 percent being local Austrians or from European Union members, the company said on its website.

The key factors of ZTE's success story in Austria include its ability to bring cutting-edge technology fast to the market, having a strong team with multicultural background, respecting local laws and rules and being proactive, according to its senior vice-president Xiao Ming.

"As long as we optimize and fine-tune networks and mobile services we offer to customers of Hutchison Drei, we are forcing other operators to act, to invest additionally to keep up with the competition, so the whole industry has been constantly improving because of a healthy competition," said Xiao. "We are empowering the local community."

ZTE is one of the major suppliers of wireless products and solutions to the Austrian market, accounting for a market share of up to 50 percent in the core network section.

But developed markets are just a part of ZTE's internationalization blueprint. The company also sees huge opportunities emerging from the developing world.

Zhang Jianpeng, senior vice-president of ZTE, cited Latin America as an example. The company is cooperating with operators in the region to build 5G network infrastructure as well as to improve 4G networks.

Partnerships have also been made with African customers to help them prepare for the 5G era, he said.

ZTE's business grew remarkably in the nine-month period to Sept 30: operating revenue increased 9.3 percent year-on-year to 64.24 billion yuan ($9.1 billion), while net profit surged almost 157 percent to 4.13 billion yuan.

To retain its leading position in the highly competitive industry, the company invests great resources in research and development. R&D expenditure accounted for 14.6 percent of its operating revenue in the first three quarters of this year.

While 5G commercialization is expected to reshape the mobile telecom industry and bring significant changes to individuals' lives, cybersecurity has been a big concern and one of the biggest challenges facing industry players.

ZTE said it attaches high importance to the issue and has been relentless in its efforts to address it. It has set up cybersecurity labs in China, Belgium and Italy, allowing local and remote source code review and security design review of 5G products.

"Cybersecurity is one of the highest priorities for ZTE's product R&D and service delivery, and we make continuous efforts to improve," Zhong Hong, the company's chief security officer, said.

"ZTE welcomes security assessments on a technical basis, including source code review, as well as independent assessments by third parties. Constantly adhering to the concept of openness, collaboration, and transparency, ZTE actively collaborates with regulators, operators, and other stakeholders to contribute to building secure 5G networks."

Hutchison Drei also highlighted the importance of cybersecurity, especially when it comes to 5G. "We will take good measures to make sure our networks are safe and this is also a joint effort."

"We are a bit concerned of the developments in the world and the threat for free trade, but we see an environment where we can take the benefits of the global information and communications technology business and strong players such as ZTE being part of it," said Trionow.

Xinhua contributed to this story.