Telecom companies go more global

AT&T Corp, the United States' largest telecom carrier by subscriber, is eyeing more business opportunities in China as multinational corporations enter the country's inland areas and Chinese firms increase their overseas presence.

The company is set to expand its existing IP-VPN service in China to allow broader national reach, enhanced performance and reduced total cost of ownership for its customers, said Greg Brutus, head of communications of AT&T Asia-Pacific.

Although China's telecom industry is closely held by three domestic operators, AT&T was the first and still the only foreign company to form a telecommunications services joint venture in China. Through the subsidiary, it handles businesses with corporate customers.