Advancing Enterprise Connectivity in China and Beyond

The role of the enterprise network is changing fast. No longer does it simply connect data storage facilities to servers and workstations. Today, technological advances have put the network firmly at the heart of any modern enterprise.

According to Gartner, intelligent things and analytics, which use AI and machine learning to interact with people and the environment, are transforming business process and workplace. Digital innovation is now a key strategic agenda. And corporations are increasingly looking for ways to enhance their network infrastructure that is critical to be automated, secure, seamless and software-driven needed to support business agility.

Making all the difference

Geography, political landscape and regulatory regimes are different all over the world. The impact of these differences multiply quickly when companies embrace global and regional initiatives, like China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which involves less developed geographies. Networks need to be flexible, adaptable and have a broad coverage across the globe to provide full support rather than constrain a company’s business.

As the leading provider of advanced intelligent network architecture, China Telecom (CT) is dedicated to making a difference. With over 50 terrestrial and submarine cables and a state-of-the-art OTN network, CT global footprint extends from China to every part of the world. More than 170 global POPs in major cities worldwide provide CTG customers with flexible connectivity options, such as private, low-latency Ethernet lines, MPLS-VPNs and high-speed Internet access to meet their business needs.

Designed for agility

The term “software defined” is becoming increasingly popular these days. Software defined networking can offer enterprises agility, added speed and a way to keep up with business demands. While many enterprises have invested in deploying robust network infrastructures, however, they often face challenges in ensuring optimal network performance.

CT’s competing software-defined network infrastructure and cloud-network capability enables enterprises of all sizes to simplify their network operations through centralized management and gain control of network traffic flow in a cost-effective way.

For example, when a Fortune 500 sportswear manufacturer looked for a resilient solution to interconnect all of its China branches and accelerate connection to the global public cloud, it chose CT. In turn, CT’s networking solutions made the company networks agile and always available.

Bandwidth is becoming a critical resource, and demand is skyrocketing. CT’s network offers bandwidth on demand, allowing enterprises to centrally fine-tune their bandwidth consumption based on real-time traffic requirements. The overall costs for network maintenance also decrease – an important advantage when it comes to planning and budgeting.

A better answer for latency

Latency always matters. It is particularly critical in the global electronic financial marketplace where it is based on computer systems performing high-frequency trades in real time. Even microsecond delays can wreak havoc and result in million-dollar losses.

CT is dedicated to providing ultra-low latency network services to support time-sensitive financial trading and electronic transactions. It has established more than 30 industry-leading low-latency routes connecting the world’s most important financial hubs, including Dalian, Zhengzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, London, Frankfurt, New York, Chicago, Moscow and more.

For instance, the Hong Kong to Frankfurt link sees latency round trip time (RTT) as low as 149.17 milliseconds, while latency between Shanghai and London is just 147.93 milliseconds. The latency between Shanghai and Singapore as well as Shanghai and Tokyo are even lower at 53.4 and 24.39 milliseconds respectively. It all adds up to tremendous benefits for customers executing their trades through ultra-fast connections.

Combating security concerns

While new technologies have brought many benefits, they have also expanded the threat surface. Meanwhile, the financial penalties resulting from a breach is also becoming heavier.

That is why CT adopted a multi-layered defense in building a smarter and faster network that guarantees customers secure and reliable access to mission-critical data. CT’s private, low-latency Ethernet lines offer secure, reliable and high-speed point-to-point or point-to-multipoint international connectivity. Its anti-DDoS services also provide around-the-clock protection, through Black-Hole and Clean-Pipe services.

Platform for accelerating business ambitions

Fundamentally, intelligent networking is more than data transmission. It is a blueprint for building modern enterprises, and offers an innovative platform to capture new global business opportunities.

By adopting cloud-based and software-defined paradigms to add intelligence to its network architecture, CT’s market-leading portfolio of network solutions can help global customers navigate market challenges, mitigate risks and provide a robust foundation on which they can build the kind of future they want, wherever they want it.