BEIJING, Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- China Telecom has named Verizon Business its Most Valuable Partner 2007 in recognition of the two companies' successful cooperation in the delivery of international data services. The Most Valuable Partner award recognizes the partnership that has had most significant benefit to both companies' customers during the preceding 12 months.

The recognition reflects the culmination of a long-standing partnership between the two companies, and the strategic importance accorded by China Telecom to its relationship with Verizon Business.

Ihab Tarazi, vice president, global network planning, Verizon Business, said, "This award acknowledges the successful benefits this partnership brings to our mutual customers. This is another demonstration of our commitment with China Telecom to support multinational companies' expanding business needs."

In September, Verizon Business announced that its multinational customers have seamless connectivity to China Telecom's Next Convergence Network (CN2), a next-generation IP platform that covers more than 200 cities and 600 routers within China. Access to CN2 extends the benefits of Verizon Business' expansive IP backbone network and portfolio of global IP and mobile devices, services and solutions across the fast-growing Chinese market.

Verizon Business, through its predecessor companies, has been operational in China since 1993, and today has offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Working in cooperation with leading Chinese service providers, the company delivers a full-service portfolio, from leased-line to MPLS/VPN services, to Chinese-based operations of its multinational customers.

Verizon Business and China Telecom are also founding partners and landing parties in a consortium building the first next-generation undersea optical cable system directly linking the U.S. mainland and China. The Trans-Pacific Express (TPE) system will use the latest optical technology to provide greater capacity and higher speeds to meet the dramatic increase in demand for IP. Subject to final U.S. regulatory approval, the cable system is planned for completion in the 3Q of 2008.

Other parties of the consortium include China Netcom, China Unicom, Korea Telecom and Chunghwa Telecom (Taiwan). The TPE cable will provide more diversity from other undersea routes and establish more efficient connections to a number of countries in Asia where Verizon Business has customers.

About Verizon Business

Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications , is a leading provider of advanced communications and information technology (IT) solutions to large business and government customers worldwide. Combining unsurpassed global network reach with advanced communications, security and other professional service capabilities, Verizon Business delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world. For more information, visit http://www.verizonbusiness.com/.

CONTACT: Wendy Hill of Verizon Business, +612-8514-7449,
wendy.hill@verizonbusiness.com

Web site: http://www.verizonbusiness.com/

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