Aircel signs $400-mn deal with Chinese infrastructure vendor

New Delhi, Oct 13 (IANS) Chennai-based telecom operator Aircel, owned by Malaysian operator Maxis, has signed a deal with Chinese infrastructure vendor ZTE worth $400 million for expansion of its GSM coverage, the Chinese firm said Monday.

Malaysia's largest telecom operator Maxis has a majority stake in Aircel, which has an estimated 13.6 million subscribers.

"It is a great opportunity for us to be selected by Maxis to help enhance the GSM network of its subsidiary in India, one of the fastest growing telecom markets in East Asia," ZTE said in a statement.

Aircel has 10 operational networks running in India, with another 11 planned.

ZTE's GSM equipment is now deployed by over 60 operators in more than 50 countries worldwide, resulting in the installation of mobile capacity exceeding 150 million lines.