China
Telecom Corp Ltd, the largest fixed-line service and the third-biggest mobile
network operator in China, aims to become a world leader in integrated
information services by 2016.
As
an increasing number of Chinese enterprises expand overseas, China Telecom
hopes to play an active role in supporting them with seamless global
information services, Deng Xiaofeng, chief executive officer of China Telecom
Global Ltd, told a news conference in Beijing on Thursday.
Hong
Kong-based China Telecom Global Ltd was established in 2012 and is solely
responsible for China Telecom's global business operations. It has about 700
staff around the world,
Deng
said his company's sales have grown 20 percent annually in recent years, about
double the industry average.
"We
will launch cloud-based services across the globe, covering major world cities,
including London, Frankfurt and Sydney, this year," Deng said.
The
cloud service will mainly focus on Chinese companies that plan to go global.
For example, when Chinese Internet companies such as Tencent Holdings Ltd and
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd expand overseas, they will require robust IT and
telecom support, he pointed out.
China
Telecom will provide Chinese enterprises with comprehensive communications
information solution packages, including international voice services, local
Internet access and long-distance, high-quality videoconferences.
To
provide those services, China Telecom will cooperate with global telecom
operators. The company has formed alliances with more than 200 major telecom
carriers in different countries, including AT&T Inc in the United States
and Orange SA in France.
"Only
if we keep stretching our capabilities and accumulating resources can we truly
cooperate and compete with world-class telecom carriers on a level playing
field," said Deng.
China
Telecom first tested the waters of the global market in 2002, when it set up a
subsidiary in the US.
The
company integrated its businesses in the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas and
Europe by forming China Telecom Global Ltd two years ago.
China
Telecom has seen its overseas business develop rapidly. The company now owns
the world's largest optical fiber network consisting of more than 30 underwater
and land-based cables.
It
has established more than 40 network points of presence in 28 countries to
achieve a seamless global connection.
Compared
with some leading global telecom carriers, such as BT Group Plc and Orange,
Deng admitted that China Telecom still lags in terms of resources, global
operating experience and service quality.
"But
we are catching up", he said.
Wang
Xiaochu, China Telecom's chairman, said in an earlier interview with China
Daily that China Telecom will also aggressively pursue overseas mergers and
acquisitions.
"It's definite that China Telecom will
conduct M&As globally, and we're grooming our talent to be
better-prepared," Wang said.
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