UK telecoms goliath BT is teaming up with the leading Chinese telecoms outfit ZTE to research the future of the two firm's industries.
The joint venture will see researchers from both companies looking into "next generation" technologies for fixed line, wireless and mobile services.
Research has already begun at BT's innovation centre at Adastral Park in Martlesham near Ipswich as well as ZTE's China-based R&D centre.
However, BT confirmed to IT PRO no extra staff would be taken on for the project and funding would come from its already laid out R&D budget which sat at 684 million last year.
The key outcome the companies claim to be looking for is international telecoms standards to help push forward better aligned global communications.
Clive Selley, chief information officer (CIO) at the BT Group, said: "We've been very impressed with the knowledge and sophistication of ZTE's team and, by combining our complementary strengths and expertise on a range of research projects, we expect this partnership to be very fruitful for both ourselves and our respective customers."
The deal will not mean BT and ZTE will buy equipment, devices or services from each other, but they will jointly own any intellectual property that comes out of the partnership.
