Kunming sets up gateway for regional telecom

Kunming has established an international telecommunication gateway to facilitate data transfer between China and southeast & south Asia.

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“Similar to customs in international trade, international telecom gateways also play key roles in international phone calls and online visits,” said Zhou Wei, head of international division of China Telecom (Yunnan branch).

An email sent from Laos to Kunming used to be transferred via Hong Kong and Guangzhou before reaching Kunming, Zhao cited a practical case as saying. 

After the Kunming gateway is commissioned, however, the mail will directly reach Kunming, reducing transmission delays by tens of milliseconds.

The seemingly little speed-up may make a big difference for bank remittances, overseas purchase and game players.

The Kunming gateway ranks fourth in China, second to gateways in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Approved by the state authorities in 2007, the gateway aims to “provide quality services for Chinese out-looking businesses, transnational companies and network operators”.

At present, the gateway can provide international service in the forms voice, private data and online transfer.

Land cables have linked Kunming to Myanmar and Laos, while land cables to Thailand and Vietnam are under still construction.

By far, voice and data transfer services by the gateway are available in Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Editor: Eric Wang