AT&T, China Telecom agree to share networks
China Telecom and AT&T have signed a strategic framework agreement to cooperate and share infrastructure for the benefit of multinational companies that want to use their services in both regions.
The agreement builds upon the long-standing relationship between AT&T and China Telecom, and the success of their previous joint venture, Shanghai Symphony Telecommunications Co., Ltd. – the first Sino-foreign telecommunications services joint venture in China.
The two companies are working to:
- Simplify intercompany business processes and put in place tools to help both companies operate more efficiently
- Provide bilateral Wi-Fi roaming as an additional access capability
- Connect the China Telecom and AT&T MPLS-based IP networks in the United States, to provide the same world class global experiences for Chinese multinationals as they grow outside China
- Expand AT&T's existing IP-VPN service in China to allow broader national reach, greater technology choice, enhanced performance, and reduced total cost of ownership, as multinational companies continue to expand their business in China
- Explore jointly deploying an expanded suite of VPN-based services, as well as advanced services like telepresence, managed hosting, cloud-based services, network integration services, and enterprise mobility
- Explore the possibility of providing mutual support in other regions of the world.
"Our customers have told us that enhanced communication services between China and the rest of the world is a key factor for improving their competiveness and global expansion," said Roman Pacewicz, AT&T business solutions senior vice-president of marketing and global strategy. "Developing this strategic framework agreement will allow customers with operations in China to take advantage of the same type of business transformational services they have in other parts of the globe."
"Through the strategic collaboration between China Telecom and AT&T, China Telecom will be able to enhance its end-to-end service capabilities via AT&T networks in the US. We will better serve our China-based and Asian customers in the US," said Kou Fengda, managing director of China Telecom's global business.