Jane Chen / Shanghai Daily news

The Shanghai branch of China's sole operator of CDMA telecommunications services has introduced its first handset that enables simultaneous access to both the GSM and CDMA networks.
Shanghai Unicom Co yesterday unveiled the Coolpad 728 phone jointly-developed with Shenzhen-based Yulong Telecommunication Scientific Co Ltd, marking an upgrade of the telecom operator's so-called dual-mode "Worldwind" phone service.
Priced at over 8,000 yuan (US$990), the 3G phone enables international roaming services on a global basis from only one handset.  It is equipped with dual sockets for inserting cards enabling access to the 2G GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) and CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) networks at the same time. Thus, the user is able to switch between the networks freely to receive or make calls and messages.
Describing the phone as the latest innovation of 3G technology and a perfect integration of modern technology into an open mobile telecom system, general manager Zhang Jian of Shanghai Unicom believes the new phone makes its mark by opening-up the right of users to choose their mobile network.
He is optimistic about its market prospects.
Starting this week, 100,000 such phones are being made available nationwide in cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, according to vice president Yang Xiaowei with Shanghai Unicom's parent China Unicom. 
Pre-orders of phones has started in Shanghai, and number 2,000 so far.
China Unicom has authorized Nasdaq-listed phone maker UTStarcom Inc. to produce the phones. The first supplies will reach the market in the first quarter of next year.