ZTE today said it appointed Cheng Lixin, the executive behind the company’s North American mobile phone business, to run its global mobile phone business.
The move comes after ZTE settled with the U.S. government over allegations that it violated international trade sanctions against Iran. ZTE paid a $900 million fine to make the allegations go away. Lixin has led ZTE’s mobile efforts in the U.S. since 2010.
The company has grown its marketshare in the U.S. during that time thanks to low-cost handsets, which it sells through pre-paid carriers such as Boost Mobile, Cricket Wireless, and MetroPCS. Lixin’s predecessor has taken a seat on the company’s corporate board.
The change is effective immediately. ZTE has not yet named a new executive for the U.S. market.
