Huawei to open research center in France this month

Sep. 23, 2009 (China Knowledge) - Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, a major telecom equipment vendor in China, this month will open a research center in Cergy-Pontoise, near Paris, France, as part of its plan to expand its presence in the country, sources reported.

The center will initially employ 20 people, but by the end of the year will employ 50. Researchers at the center will focus on establishing mobile network standards and evaluating mobile services, according to sources.

In 2007, Huawei opened a center in Lannion, in the French region of Brittany. The center focuses on fixed broadband system enhancements.

Huawei earlier this month said it did not hold any talks with Franco-American Alcatel-Lucent on a possible tie-up, denying reports that the two companies were in preliminary talks.

U.K.-based research firm Ovum Plc last month said in a report that Huawei is likely to beat top player Alcatel-Lucent Holdings Inc in the global optical network market by the end of next quarter because of China's 3G investment.