China Telecommunications Corporation (“China Telecom”), mainland China’s largest fixed-line and FDD LTE operator and a global communications service provider with abundant international cable network resources, and HGC Global Communications (HGC), a fixed-line operator with broad Hong Kong and international network coverage, in Hong Kong hosted a signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two companies. The MOU puts in place an agreement for the construction of a network interconnection system via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HZM Bridge).
Directly connecting mainland China to the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau, the HZM Bridge will be the longest cross-ocean bridge in the world, at a length of 55km. The Bridge will significantly enhance economic connection across the region and act as a catalyst for collaboration. The new fibre connection along the HZM Bridge will provide capacity for anticipated growth in cross-border network traffic, ensuring low-latency across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Bay Area (Greater Bay Area), and fueling the growth of China’s Greater Bay Area initiative.
Upon completion, the new CTG and HGC link will boost the traffic capacity by at least 100 Gbps, with design capacity of 8Tbps. Deng Xiaofeng, Managing Director, Global Business Department of China Telecom, said, “China Telecom is pleased to establish an interconnection with HGC at the HZM Bridge. With both parties’ diverse network connection routes and our history of close cooperation, the new fibre connection will provide customers of both parties with stable and reliable service, meeting the ever-increasing demand in the Greater Bay Area and neighbouring countries and regions.”
China Telecom is the most prominent fixed-line operator in China and the largest FDD LTE operator in the world. It has extensive experience in providing international terrestrial and submarine cable resources as well as global telecommunications solutions. Since 1988, China Telecom has established cross-border links with 10 telecommunications operators in Hong Kong and Macau across 5 ports. The links have made a tremendous contribution to the telecommunications development in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and the entire Asia Pacific region. Its contribution has helped to boost total traffic capacity up to 17Tbps, whilst offering diversified services including voice communication, private leased circuit, internet service and more.
About China Telecommunications Corporation
China Telecommunications Corporation (“China Telecom”) is one of the largest state-owned telecommunication companies in China. At present, the size of China Telecom’s total assets exceeds RMB 800 billion, with annual revenue of more than RMB 410 billion. Ranking 133rd in the 2017 Fortune Global 500, China Telecom was awarded the Most Honoured Company, the Best Managed Company in the Asia Telecom Sector, as well as the Best Managed Company in Asia by esteemed international institutions for consecutive years.
With the world’s largest broadband Internet network and a leading-edge mobile network, China Telecom is capable of providing cross-region, fully-integrated information services to global customers through its sound customer service channel system. Its comprehensive service capability has earned China Telecom a large customer base. By the end of 2017, the number of its broadband Internet subscribers exceeded 160 million, mobile subscribers exceeded 260 million, and IPTV subscribers exceeded 100 million.
To drive corporate transformation, China Telecom has rolled out its Transformation 3.0 strategy with a focus on upgrading intelligent network, service ecosystem and smart operation for the digital ecosystem. China Telecom will strive to become a leading comprehensive intelligent information service provider, with the aim of becoming a powerhouse in the Internet and cyber realms, in order to serve society and enhance people’s wellbeing.
About HGC Global Communications Limited
HGC Global Communications Limited (HGC) is a leading Hong Kong and international fixed-line operator. The company owns an extensive network and infrastructure in Hong Kong and overseas and provides various kinds of services. It provides telecom infrastructure service to others operators and serves as a service provider to corporations and households. The company provides full-fledged telecom, data centre services, ICT solutions and broadband services for local, overseas, corporate and mass markets. HGC owns and operates an extensive fibre-optic network, four cross-border telecom routes integrated into tier-one telecom operators in mainland China and connects with hundreds of world-class international telecom operators. HGC is one of Hong Kong’s largest Wi-Fi service providers, running over 29,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in Hong Kong. The company is committed to further investing and enriching its current infrastructure and, in parallel, adding on top the latest technologies and developing its infrastructure services and solutions. HGC is a portfolio company of I Squared Capital, an independent global infrastructure investment manager focusing on energy, utilities and transport in North America, Europe and selected fast-growing economies.
For more information, please visit HGC’s website at: www.hgc.com.hk
