China Telecom Opens African POPs

DUBAI -- The Dubai-based Middle East regional headquarters and network hub of China Telecom Europe (CTE) is to be expanded to cover North Africa as the giant international wholesale telecommunications carrier continues to enlarge its network and services between the EMEA region, China and the wider Asia Pacific market.

Since opening the Dubai office in 2008 as part of its “Information Silk Road”, CTE has seen traffic grow enormously in the region – particularly in Dubai itself. The Dubai operation is part of what is now recognised as the highest quality and most resilient network connecting Europe and Asia. It already has a choice of three terrestrial routes and a fourth – involving Kazakhstan – is due to open before the end of the year.

“Dubai has been an important and highly successful part of our network from the outset and we have decided to utilise it for our growth into North Africa,” said Mr Ou Yan, Managing Director of China Telecom (Europe) Ltd.

“The rapidly increasing bilateral trade between China and Middle East and Africa – now running at some 350 billion US dollars - has demanded even more reliable and efficient communication solutions with China and Asia as a whole. This is what our network is providing. As more and more Chinese enterprises are expanding into the region, we are able to get closer and closer to our customers,” he added.

China Telecom Corp. Ltd. (NYSE: CHA)