Japan Telecom Co. said Thursday it has agreed with Qwest Communications Corp. of the United States to jointly offer international data communications network services in Japan, the U.S. and Europe.
Japan Telecom, the nation's No. 3 telecommunications carrier, had been looking for a foreign partner in this area after capital ties with British Telecom PLC. of Britain and AT&T Corp. of the U.S. were severed when mobile phone operator Vodafone Group of Britain took over Japan Telecom last fall.
Under the new alliance, the two companies will be able to offer more cost-competitive international services by mutually using trans-Pacific data network cables between Japan and the U.S., the company said.
Using networks of KPN Qwest, Qwest's European unit, Japan Telecom will be able to offer services with its own brand in 18 European countries, including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom.
Japan Telecom will also serve as a sales agent for Japanese customers of Qwest and KPN Qwest.
Meanwhile, Japan Telecom will maintain separate business tieups with BT and AT&T, which place greater emphasis on larger multinational corporate customers, a Japan Telecom spokesman said.
Depending on customers' needs, Japan Telecom will offer joint international services either with Qwest, BT or AT&T.