AT&T, China Telecom deepen infrastructure ties

AT&T (T.NYSE) said Wednesday that it will link up its networks in the US and China with those of China Telecom (CHA.NYSE, 0728.HKG), an effort to cater to multinational companies that use services in both regions, The Wall Street Journal reported. The companies already share local network infrastructure, made up of fibers and switches, in China, but the agreement would expand their partnership into areas like hosting, cloud-computing and network integration, AT&T said. The companies also hope to partner in other regions, such as Latin America. AT&T has had a joint venture since 2000 with China Telecom, the country’s largest fixed-line operator, and Shanghai Information Investment Co called Shanghai Symphony Telecommunications. AT&T’s revenues in Asia have registered double-digit annual growth on average for the last five years; one-third of AT&T’s 1,700 Asian customers use its services in China.