ZTE and mobile operator 3 today entered into a agreement whereby ZTE will deliver mobile handsets to 3 in UK, Ireland and Sweden markets.

Under the deal the first of handset to be made available is the ZTE F102 GSM-based 3G model which has a 2.0 mega pixel camera, MP3 player, colour screen, Bluetooth, USB and a Micro SD memory card. Skype and Windows Live Messenger applications are incorporated in the handset. The model is fifth handset by ZTE to be delivered in the UK market. In the Swedish market the handsets will be made available through electronics chain Media Market with 3’s shops and other retailers too providing the handsets subsequently.

David Moore, Product Manager at 3, said, “ZTE has helped us to develop and expand our range of PAYG handsets in the UK, bringing high specification, stylish devices to a wide audience. This has helped us to meet consumer demand for mobile internet services on low cost tariffs.”

 “The UK, Ireland and Scandinavia are very desirable markets for us and have opened up a wealth of opportunities of which we have been taking full advantage. Starting with 3UK, 3 Ireland and 3 Scandinavia, ZTE is fully geared to support H3G's global business and other operators. We aim to become one of the top five handset developers worldwide by 2011 and our goals are clearly in sight,” said Tony Brunt, ZTE UK Sales Director looking after H3G Global. With competitive products and high quality hardware we are becoming a force in the handset market in Europe and will continue to partner with reputable operators to produce outstanding results.”