Japan Telecom Co. said Friday it has linked its mobile phone network with that of China's largest mobile phone company, China Mobile Communications Corp., to provide international communications with improved voice quality.

The major telecom carrier will kick off the direct link today, which it says enables higher quality communications.

On July 26, KDDI Corp., a major rival of Japan Telecom, became the first Japanese telecom carrier to enter a tieup arrangement with the Beijing-based carrier, which has 76 million subscribers.

KDDI will also launch its joint service with the Chinese carrier today.