China Telecom, Sprint interconnect IP VPN networks

Sprint Nextel Corporation, the third largest wireless telecom network operator in the U.S., have joined hands with China Telecom<728>, a leading Chinese telecom provider by interconnecting the IP VPN networks of the two companies, sources reported.

"Collaborating with China Telecom allows Sprint to extend the reach of robust MPLS capabilities as more and more businesses look to expand operations to and within China." said Dan Dooley, vice president of international and wholesale markets, Sprint.

Customers of the U.S. operator will be able to access the full range of capabilities inherent in China Telecom's Next Convergence Network, which covers more than 200 cities and 600 routers across the country. Therefore, they can converge data, voice and video on a single, secure network platform in the Asia-Pacific region, according to the two companies agreement.

No financial details about the deal were disclosed to date.