According to the technical cooperation deal between the two telecommunications giants, they will work together to develop new forms of network service based on new network technology.

It is foreseeable that the next-generation network will be a comprehensive multi-media one capable of simultaneous audio-visual and data transmission, in comparison to the current mode of separate transmission, Leng Rongquan, deputy general manager of China Telecom, said.

China Telecom expects the cooperation with Nortel Networks to help it become one of the front-runners in the world telecommunications industry, Leng said.

Robert Mao, president of Nortel Networks (China) Limited, said that the cooperation between China Telecom and his company will effectively boost technological advancement and improve use of strategic resources of both sides while increasing market competitiveness of China Telecom.

China Telecom now has 16.5 million Internet users, and a 75 percent share of the domestic market.

People's Daily 2001/03/07