(Telecompaper) Alibaba Group is close to a deal to acquire ZTE's software subsidiary, people familiar with the deal told Bloomberg. Talks to buy ZTEsoft have been underway for several months and could lead to Alibaba paying CNY 2-3 billion for the company, the report said. ZTEsoft provides software support and services to telecom carriers around the world and is expected to help grow Alibaba's cloud computing business.