China Telecom Corp. is China's biggest fixed-line carrier. [File photo]

AT&T Inc. and China Telecom Corp. have agreed to expand their partnership to provide more communication services to multinational companies in China and the United States.

Under a deal signed on Wednesday, the two companies plan to broaden their partnership to offer virtual private networks and other cross-border services to corporate customers at lower cost and higher speeds.

"Developing this strategic framework agreement will allow customers with operations in China to take advantage of the same type of business transformational services they have in other parts of the globe," said Roman Pacewicz, senior vice-president of marketing and global strategy at AT&T Business Solutions.

China Telecom Corp., China's biggest fixed-line carrier, and AT&T Inc., the largest U.S. telephone carrier, have worked together since 2000, when they formed a joint venture, Shanghai Symphony Telecommunications Co.

China's business press carried the story above on Thursday.