MUMBAI: Media conglomerate News Corp's chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch has been hired as a non-executive director of China Netcom.

China Netcom is one of China's six licenced telecom carriers.

Reports indicate that the company, which is planning a $1.5 billion IPO has also named China's former telecom industry regulator Zhang Chunjiang as its chairman.

A Bloomberg report noted that China Netcom was counting on growth in the country's high speed Internet market. The number of subscribers for its broadband service had surged 21 times to 2.5 million at end of last year.

In documents filed to the US securities regulator, the company said, "Certain members of our senior management team have significant experience in managing Chinese telecommunications companies, maintaining strong relationships with regulators, and leading fast-growing and entrepreneurial enterprises."