BEIJING, Jul. 5, 2010 (Xinhua News Agency) -- The State Grid, one of China's two power grid operators, and with China Telecom (00728.HK; CHA.NYSE) have inked a framework agreement on strategic cooperation in smart grid construction.
According to the agreement, they will share infrastructure and market resources, and jointly promote the research and application into a smart grid.
The cooperation with China Telecom will help the State Grid improve the construction of power communications networks.
What's worth noting that the State Grid and China Telecom will make a joint effort in the construction of a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network, which could transmit both electric power and signals for Internet, telecommunications, and TV and broadcasting.
This means that they would take a share in the pie of the integration of phone, Internet, TV services.
Wang Yimin, head of the smart grid department of the State Grid, said that the company would launch pilot FTTH programs in 14 provinces, covering 36,700 families. Once successful, the FTTH program would be expanded to 26 provinces in China. (Edited by Li Xiaohui, lixh@xinhua.org0)
