TOKYO, October 25, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NTT Corporation (NTT) and Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. (Chunghwa Telecom) today signed a basic agreement for the realization of international network connectivity through IOWN ^[1]. In the future, with IOWN's innovative communication technology centered on the All-Photonics Network ^[2], we aim to realize international network connectivity between Japan and Taiwan and to collaborate in IOWN related businesses and security.

1. Background

NTT has proposed the IOWN concept, which is a network and information processing infrastructure that can provide high-speed, high-capacity communications, and enormous computing resources by utilizing innovative technologies centered on photonics (optics). NTT has established the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) Global Forum ^[3] to promote the realization of new communication infrastructure.

Chunghwa Telecom is one of the Top 5 listed companies by market capitalization, and No.1 telecom service provider in Taiwan. Chunghwa Telecom provides cutting-edge ICT services to global companies through collaboration with major telecommunications companies in various countries. In addition, Chunghwa Telecom supports the IOWN concept and participated early in the IOWN Global Forum, leading the discussion of use cases and technologies.

NTT and Chunghwa Telecom will promote IOWN technology and realize business and security on a global level based on the communication technology and experience we have accumulated.

2. Outline of the Agreement

Based on NTT and Chunghwa Telecom's strengths in optical and wireless transmission technologies, as well as both companies' achievements in implementing these technologies in society, we aim to realize international network connectivity by utilizing All-Photonics Network technology between Japan and Taiwan.

In addition, we aim to establish interfaces and international connection rules for communication transparency in international network connections.

3. Outlook

NTT and Chunghwa Telecom aim to contribute to a prosperous society that can embrace diversity by utilizing various IOWN technologies through international network connections that uses IOWN technologies such as the All-Photonics Network, which is a robust communication infrastructure.

4. Endorsement comments

• Akira Shimada, President & CEO, NTT Corporation
  With outstanding technology and extensive global business experience, we expect that NTT and Chunghwa Telecom working together on IOWN's international communications will strongly accelerate IOWN's technology development and service deployment. Based on the achievements of NTT and Chunghwa Telecom, we hope to expand IOWN in various other countries.
  

• Shui-Yi Kuo, Chairman & CEO, Chunghwa Telecom
  As Taiwan's leading telecommunications company, Chunghwa Telecom is pleased to sign the IOWN cooperation memorandum with NTT, Japan's leading telecommunications company. Chunghwa Telecom agrees with the vision of IOWN's innovative technologies, and will continue to uphold the brand spirit of "Always Ahead" and implement the corporate sustainability goals of ESG energy conservation, actively invest in innovative research and development, and bring people with more diversified and convenient network and services.

[ Reference ]
[1] What is the IOWN initiative? https://www.rd.ntt/e/iown/
[2] What is the All-Photonics Network? https://www.rd.ntt/e/iown/0002.html
[3] What is the IOWN Global Forum? https://iowngf.org/

About NTT

NTT contributes to a sustainable society through the power of innovation. We are a leading global technology company providing services to consumers and business as a mobile operator, infrastructure, networks, applications, and consulting provider. Our offerings include digital business consulting, managed application services, workplace and cloud solutions, data center and edge computing, all supported by our deep global industry expertise. We are over $95B in revenue and 330,000 employees, with $3.6B in annual R&D investments. Our operations span across 80+ countries and regions, allowing us to serve clients in over 190 of them.

About Chunghwa Telecom

Chunghwa Telecom is Taiwan's largest integrated telecommunications services company that provides fixed-line, mobile, broadband, and internet services. The Company also provides information and communication technology services to corporate customers with its big data, information security, cloud computing and IDC capabilities, and is expanding its business into innovative technology services such as IoT, AI, etc. Chunghwa Telecom has been actively and continuously implementing environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives with the goal to achieve sustainability and has won numerous international and domestic awards and recognitions for its ESG commitments and best practices. For more information, please visit our website at www.cht.com.tw

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