21Vianet Forms Strategic Partnership With China Academy of Telecom Research

BEIJING, Nov. 10, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 21Vianet Group, Inc. VNET ("21Vianet" or the "Company"), the largest carrier-neutral Internet data center services provider in China, today announced a strategic partnership with China Academy of Telecommunications Research ("CATR"), a division of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology ("MIIT").

Pursuant to the agreement, 21Vianet and CATR will closely collaborate on multi-level, cutting-edge research and development initiatives in connection with the next-generation broadband industry in China. Key areas of research and development initiatives will include broadband network, mobile internet, cloud computing, big data, interconnection of data centers, infrastructure resource management and network security. The research will explore ways to optimize governance in the broadband industry, further stimulate innovations in China's Internet economy, and ultimately promote and incentivize participation and innovation by medium, small and micro enterprises and consumers.

"We are very excited about this strategic partnership with 21Vianet," commented Shumin Cao, president of CATR. "We are looking forward to closely collaborating with 21Vianet in the key areas outlined in the agreement and to contributing towards the national strategic priority of building strong Internet infrastructure throughout China."

Mr. Josh Chen, Chairman and CEO of 21Vianet, added: "We are honored to form this important partnership with CATR, the top government sponsored research institution in China's telecom industry. CATR shares our vision of building an open and mutually beneficial broadband ecosystem for all participants in the Chinese Internet industry. Under the Broadband China framework, we expect to cooperate with CATR on multiple levels and collectively help to strengthen the collaboration and innovation among industry participants, enterprises and consumers alike."

About 21Vianet

21Vianet Group, Inc. is the largest carrier-neutral internet data center services provider in China. 21Vianet provides hosting and related services, managed network services, cloud infrastructure services, and content delivery network services, improving the reliability, security and speed of its customers' internet infrastructure. Customers may locate their servers and networking equipment in 21Vianet's data centers and connect to China's internet backbone through 21Vianet's extensive fiber optic network. In addition, 21Vianet's proprietary smart routing technology enables customers' data to be delivered across the internet in a faster and more reliable manner. 21Vianet operates in 44 cities throughout China, servicing a diversified and loyal base of more than 2,000 customers that span numerous industries ranging from internet companies to government entities and blue-chip enterprises to small- to mid-sized enterprises.

About China Academy of Telecom Research

China Academy of Telecommunication Research (CATR) of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), its predecessor the China Academy of Posts and Communications of the former Ministry of Posts and Communications, was founded in 1994 and is a national research organization in telecom field directly under the leadership of the MIIT. It mainly performs support work for government, such as research on development planning, policies and regulations, network standards as well as carrying out of regulatory work. Meanwhile, it can also provide services for the industry, such as quality system certification of enterprises, telecom metrology and product test/certification as well as network planning/design and consultancy for enterprises.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. 21Vianet may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed with, or furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about 21Vianet's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: 21Vianet's goals and strategies; 21Vianet's expansion plans; the expected growth of the data center services market; expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, 21Vianet's services; 21Vianet's expectations regarding keeping and strengthening its relationships with customers; 21Vianet's plans to invest in research and development to enhance its solution and service offerings; and general economic and business conditions in the regions where 21Vianet provides solutions and services. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in 21Vianet's reports filed with, or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and 21Vianet undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.