Korea Telecom form Asia network

Korea Telecom form Asia network

SEOUL (Reuters): South Korean telecom giant Korea Telecom said
on Tuesday it has formed an Internet network service with seven
other major telecom carriers in Asia to provide direct Internet
access around the region.

The seven other companies involved are Japan's KDD Corp,
Singapore Telecommunications Ltd, PT Indosat Tbk of Indonesia,
Philippines Long Distance Telephone Co, Telekom Malaysia Berhad,
the Communication Authority of Thailand and Chunghwa Telecom Co
Ltd of Taiwan.

The Internet network, called AIN (Asian Internet Network),
will enable Internet users to have direct access to the region's
web sites.

Until now, Internet connections had to pass through the United
States.

The service will cover the transmission of voice, data, video
and fax communications, with its commencement set for June 15.

Korea Telecom said the Asia-oriented cyber networks will help
expand the region's Internet business and provide better quality
Internet services.

The full-mesh AIN network will have an initial bandwidth of
512 Kbps or higher up to 45 Mbps depending on traffic volume,
Korea Telecom said in a statement.