ROME—Internet service provider Tiscali SpA and Zte, a Chinese maker of telecommunications equipment, have made a partnership deal for development of ultra-wideband in Italy.
The deal was signed Thursday in Rome in the presence of visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi.
The agreement aims to speed up the spread of ultra-wideband. The two companies will work together to implement a fiber optic network on the island of Sardinia, where Tiscali is based.
Both premiers spoke enthusiastically at a news conference about plans to significantly boost Italian-Chinese trade.
The Chinese leader said his nation's "ambitious" objective is to double trade between both countries from $40 billion (more than euro28 billion) to $80 billion (euro57 billion).
But Berlusconi said he set the goal at $100 billion (euro72 billion).
Added Wen: "And I immediately agreed with the premier's suggestion."
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