11 February 2025

ZTE has successfully collaborated with Viettel-backed Peruvian telco Bitel to upgrade its 4G mobile network ahead of the telco’s official launch of 5G.

The two companies have executed significant network upgrades to enhance Bitel’s 4G coverage and performance using ZTE’s next-generation baseband units (BBUs) and AWS/B40 band products.

The new equipment has increased BItel’s network capacity, optimized spectrum efficiency, and reduced latency, which in turn enables faster and more reliable mobile internet services. ZTE’s FDD massive MIMO products have increased throughput by over 100% in high-traffic areas.

ZTE and Bitel revealed the upgrades at a ceremony to launch Bitel’s 5G network on the telco’s tenth anniversary. ZTE gave few details on the 5G network itself, although a coverage map on Bitel’s website shows considerable 5G coverage across Lima Province.

While the ZTE announcement doesn’t focus on 5G, the 4G upgrades do give Bitel a more solid foundation on which to run non-standalone 5G – which is the version of 5G currently being rolled out in Peru, in part because it enables mobile operators to use existing spectrum.

ZTE and Bitel plan to continue their partnership on future projects that will focus on expanding network capabilities and exploring innovative solutions, including large-scale 5G rollouts, next-generation product deployments, and AI-driven telecom enhancements.