March 27, 2001

NTT Communications Corporation
Japan Telecom Co., Ltd.

 

 

NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com) and Japan Telecom Co., Ltd. signed a term sheet today regarding the construction of a fiber-optic cable network connecting Japan and Korea. The Korea-Japan Cable Network (KJCN) will be built in cooperation with two other firms, Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc. and Korea Telecom.

NTT Com and Japan Telecom have concluded that a fiber-optic cable network is needed in light of increasing economic and cultural exchanges between the two countries. This includes the 2002 FIFA World Cup, which is being hosted by Japan and Korea, as well as a burgeoning demand for computerized images, and streaming video and audio, which has resulted from a proliferation in broadband access services in both countries.

The KJCN, which is also referred to as the “Japan-Korea IT Optical Corridor Project,” will be assisted by the respective Japanese and Korean economic organizations, Kyushu-Yamaguchi Economic Federation and the Federation of Korean Industries.

The KJCN will consist of two separate non-repeater, high-count fiber undersea cables. The cables will converge at one point in Pusan, South Korea and at two separate sites in Fukuoka, Japan (see Attachment). Landing stations in Fukuoka will be built by NTT Com and Japan Telecom. Operation of the network is to begin from the end of March 2002.