TeliaSonera International Carrier Partners with HGC to Enter Asian Market by Establishing Hong Kong PoP using Trans-Pacific Gigabit Ethernet Link
Hong Kong and Stockholm, 17 October 2006 – TeliaSonera International Carrier (“TeliaSonera”), a wholly owned subsidiary of TeliaSonera Group (TLSN, SSE), and Hutchison Global Communications Limited (“HGC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited (SEHK:2332 NYSE:HTX), today announced the joint establishment of the Gigabit Ethernet circuit between Hong Kong and the US.
TeliaSonera expands its extensive international backbone into Asia and sets up its first point of presence (“PoP”) in Hong Kong. Asian customers will benefit from the availability of high quality IP, Voice/VoIP and mobile services and the ability to connect locally to Europe’s largest and fastest growing IP-backbone AS1299.
TeliaSonera provides cross-border services worldwide to operators, service and content providers and other large-scale users within the communications industry. Its international network consists of a 20,000-km European network (including Baltic and Eastern European states) and an 18,000-km fibre-based trans-American network. The Hong Kong PoP, which will be up and running on 1 December 2006, will be incorporated with the TeliaSonera International Carrier global IP-backbone that has a bandwidth of multiple 10 Gbps high-speed links.
“The expansion into Asia is a strategic step in our ambition to become one of the three largest global IP carriers,” said Ingvar Larsson, President of TeliaSonera International Carrier. ”Our Hong Kong PoP is a tangible sign of our belief in the Asian market. Developing an Asian presence and delivering Internet, mobile and media services globally is the future for TeliaSonera.”
“We chose HGC as a supplier for two reasons,” Mr Larsson continued. “First, they demonstrate flexibility and willingness to innovate. Second, they are committed to supporting the high quality standards our customers demand.”
HGC has long been a leading international carrier in Asia. Over many years, the company has taken pride in driving the development of cross-border carrier-level Ethernet and Internet Access services in the region. The collaboration with TeliaSonera in establishing the Trans-Pacific Ethernet link by deploying the Ethernet over Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (“EoSDH”) technology is another milestone for HGC. It reinforces HGC’s strong track record in inter-carrier Ethernet expansions in South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, China and the US using Virtual Private LAN Service (“VPLS”) technology. HGC has also extended direct Internet connections and provides Internet services to major Internet providers and carriers in Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan, Macau, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, the US and European countries.
“We are proud to partner with TeliaSonera and expand its connectivity between Hong Kong and the US by providing HGC’s reliable, scalable and flexible Ethernet-based service,” said Peter Wong, Chief Executive Officer of HGC. “The successful launch of this Gigabit Ethernet circuit using EoSDH technology will enhance HGC’s position as an Asia telecom hub and facilitate further expansion into the international telecom market.”
HGC steered the provisioning of the world’s first international Ethernet service in 2004, and launched another Ethernet service connecting Hong Kong and Taiwan in October the same year. In 2005, HGC extends its Ethernet service covering Hong Kong and the Philippines. Earlier this year, HGC jointly established a Trans-Pacific Ethernet services network, deploying VPLS technology, to connect Hong Kong and the US, and then Hong Kong with Beijing and Guangdong province. The provision of the Trans-Pacific link using the high transmission speed Gigabit Ethernet circuit via EoSDH delivers significant scalability and cost effectiveness.
About TeliaSonera International Carrier
TeliaSonera International Carrier is a global provider of cross-border communications services. We offer innovative solutions that help operators, carriers, service providers, content providers, and other large-scale users exploit new business opportunities.
We constantly explore new ways for customers to increase profitability, improve quality and cut costs. Through intelligent use of our extensive network and high-quality technology, we deliver a wide range of standardized and customizable voice, IP and capacity services
We have a 20,000 km European network and 18,000 km fiber-based trans-American network. TeliaSonera International Carrier is a wholly owned subsidiary to the TeliaSonera Group. Please visit our website http://www.teliasoneraic.com for more information.
About Hutchison Global Communications Limited
Hutchison Global Communications Limited (“HGC”) owns the largest fibre-to-the-building telecommunications network in Hong Kong. Since its establishment in 1995, it has been fully committed to building its own network infrastructure. With the scalability of its global bandwidth capacities and direct links to networks in Mainland China, HGC provides instant connectivity around the world, including Asia, North America and Europe.
Riding on HGC’s advanced fibre-optic technology customers enjoy leading-edge services such as Ethernet symmetrical broadband access, corporate data transmission solutions, International Private Leased Circuit services, Internet Protocol Transit services and quality local and overseas call services. Building on its leading presence in Hong Kong, HGC is also establishing a strategic foothold in the global marketplace.
HGC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited (“Hutchison Telecom”). Hutchison Telecom is a leading listed telecommunications operator (SEHK:2332; NYSE:HTX) focusing on dynamic markets. It currently offers mobile and fixed-line telecommunication services in Hong Kong, and operates or is rolling out mobile telecommunication services in India, Israel, Macau, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Indonesia and Vietnam.
For more information about HGC, see www.hgc.com.hk.
For more information about Hutchison Telecom, see www.htil.com.
