Wuhan Research Institute of Post and Telecommunications (WRI) and NEC Corp. have announced an agreement to collaborate in the development, manufacturing, sales and field support of 3GPP compliant LTE wireless access systems, including wireless base stations (eNodeB), Operation and Maintenance Sub-systems and Self Organizing Networks (SON). The jointly developed systems support both TD-LTE and FD-LTE standards, and will be commercially available in 2011.

NEC boasts LTE capabilities that include advanced RF technology, base station control and management technology, and optimized radio access area design technology. The company has provided LTE solutions to NTT DOCOMO, who launched commercial LTE services in December 2010.

WRI is a telecommunications vendor in China that has been participating in TD-LTE tests conducted by the China Ministry of Industry and Information Technology utilizing a prototype system. The new alliance enables both companies to leverage their strengths and to develop competitive LTE systems.

Wuhan Fiberhome Mobile Communications Inc., the joint venture between NEC and WRI established in 2005, will market jointly developed systems mostly in the Chinese market, while NEC will mainly target additional global markets.