China's homegrown technology for the third generation mobile communication (3G) has moved a step closer after passing a series of tests organized by the Ministry of Information Industry (MII).

An MII report said the base stations and handsets based on TD-SCDMA are all qualified after three years of tests.

The key technologies and products of TD-SCDMA met requirements for 3G services, said the MII.

The TD-SCDMA project was launched in 2003 by Datang Mobile, a leading Chinese telecom equipment manufacturer, which is a subsidiary company of Datang Telecom Technology and Industry Group.

With a special government fund for the project, Datang Mobile developed the TD-SCDMA standard as well as the base stations and dual-mode handsets based on TD-SCDMA/GSM.

The opening of China's 3G market has been repeatedly delayed due to the immaturity of TD-SCDMA as the government wants its own standard to be used in the third generation mobile communication.

Analysts believe the government is likely to issue 3G licenses in the first quarter of 2007 and the homegrown standard is most likely to get the first license.

(Xinhua News Agency December 26, 2006)