Faster data service for cell phone users as China goes to 3G
12/12/2008 17:21
China will allow its three mobile phone operators to develop high-speed
networks using third-generation technology (3G) either this Dec. or at the
beginning of next year, said a senior Chinese official.
3G networks handle
faster data downloads so cell phone users would be able to make video calls and
watch TV programs.
The country's top three telecom companies were expected to
invest at least 200 billion yuan (US$29.4 billion) next year to develop the
3G-based mobile networks, said Minister of Industry and Information Technology
Li Yizhong at a press conference today.
"We agree that the time for issuing
3G licenses has arrived now," said Li. "The three companies have abundant funds
to do that. It's also good for boosting investment and supporting the
economy."
The technology upgrade comes after major industry restructuring
this May which allowed China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom to provide
both fixed-line and wireless phone services.
"The restructuring of China's
telecom industry has been basically completed, including the asset transfer,"
said Li. "Our next step is to issue the 3G licenses as we promised."
As
planned, China Mobile will apply the Chinese-developed 3G standard of TD-SCDMA
(Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access), said Li. China Unicom
and China Telecom will use Europe's WCDMA and North America's CDMA 2000
respectively.
China Mobile conducted commercial trials of 3G services based
on TD-SCDMA in ten major cities and provided 3G services for the Beijing
Olympics in August.
China Mobile Chairman Wang Jianzhou said in August that
his company had received many complaints about network stability during the
trial operation. He promised to make improvements.
Xinhua
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