AT&T selected by China UnionPay for IP VPN

Internet Business News, Oct 14, 2005

INTERNET BUSINESS NEWS-(C)1995-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

China's only national bankcard association China UnionPay (CUP) has awarded communications company AT&T a contract to provide an Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network (IP VPN) integrating CUP Hong Kong with offices in cities in Europe, North America and the Asia Pacific region.

CUP has deployed the solution from AT&T as part of its expansion plans to develop a worldwide acceptance network by the end of 2006, in response to China's decision to open its bankcard sectors to foreign players in 2007.

According to the companies, the cooperation between CUP and AT&T will provide CUP cardholders with safe and secure payment services when they are abroad.

China's first telecomms services joint venture with foreign investment, Shanghai Symphony Telecom (UNISITI), also played a part in the deployment by initiating the cooperation between CUP and AT&T, and by acting as AT&T's strategic sales partner throughout the engagement cycle. UNISITI will be directly involved in the local service delivery to CUP, AT&T said.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

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