Last updated
    ZTE
    telecommunications industry

    ZTE

    Taiwan flagTaiwan

    "Innovation for a Better Connected World"

    Founded 1985 Shenzhen CEO: Xu Run
    Community

    About

    ZTE Corporation emerged from Shenzhen in 1985 as a joint venture between the Ministry of Electronics Industry and the Chinese Academy of Post and Telecommunications. This state-backed origin helped the company evolve into a global supplier of network infrastructure and consumer electronics, trading publicly on both the Hong Kong and Shenzhen stock exchanges.

    Leadership recently shifted focus toward rebuilding trust after years of regulatory scrutiny. Chairman Li Zhenming addressed these challenges directly at the Global Summit & User Congress in Kuala Lumpur during September 2026, promising stricter adherence to international compliance standards while steering the firm away from past controversies.

    The brand now balances its massive B2B operations with aggressive moves in the AI sector. During the same 2026 summit, ZTE unveiled an end-to-end AI video solution and demonstrated autonomous network optimization tools developed alongside XLSMART. On the consumer front, the company continues to push boundaries with the Nubia NaviX Ultra, positioning it as the world's first AI agent smartphone.

    Products & Sub-brands

    Nubia smartphones5G wireless networksOptical transmission systemsData center solutionsAutonomous network AI agentsPCB componentsAI hardware manufacturing

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Who owns ZTE?
    ZTE is a partially state-owned enterprise controlled by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), alongside institutional investors and public shareholders.
    Is ZTE still in business?
    Yes, the company is fully operational and expanding its 5G and AI capabilities following its recovery from the 2018 US trade ban.
    What is the difference between ZTE and Nubia?
    Nubia serves as a premium sub-brand focused on high-performance photography and gaming phones, while ZTE operates as the parent corporation managing both mobile devices and large-scale telecom infrastructure.
    Does ZTE sell unlocked phones?
    The company sells unlocked smartphones globally through various retailers and its official website, offering models compatible with multiple carriers in the US and other regions.
    Why was ZTE banned by the US?
    The United States imposed a trade ban in 2018 after discovering that ZTE had violated sanctions by shipping restricted technology to Iran and North Korea without authorization.

    Keywords

    telecommunications5GsmartphonesNubianetwork infrastructureartificial intelligenceShenzhenstate-owned enterprise

    Sources

    Company Info

    Founded
    1985
    Founder
    Ministry of Electronics Industry and Chinese Academy of Post and Telecommunications
    CEO
    Xu Run
    Headquarters
    Shenzhen
    Industry
    telecommunications industry
    Parent Company
    Partially state-owned (controlled by SASAC)
    Stock Exchange
    Hong Kong (0763.HK) and Shenzhen (000063.SZ)
    Key Product Launch
    Nubia NaviX Ultra (September 2026)
    Major Event
    Global Summit & User Congress 2026 in Kuala Lumpur

    Official Website

    www.zte.com.cn/

    Join the community

    fans discussing