China should quicken the process for the issue of 4G licenses to widen the trial of the fourth-generation technology to tap a huge potential and create business opportunities for domestic firms, said the heads of service providers and industry experts.

Xi Guohua, chairman of China Mobile, the country's biggest telco, said 4G is getting "closer and closer" commercially after its huge investment this year. The telco has said it will build 200,000 4G base stations nationwide this year and debut 4G phones in several cities, including Shanghai, by April.

Reversing his previous stance, Chang Xiaobing, China Unicom's chairman, urged the government to issue 4G licenses early.