Over 500 exhibitors from over 19 countries are displaying their high-tech wares at P&T/EXPO COMM CHINA 2008 which is being held in Beijing from October 21-25 at the New China International Exhibition Center.

The EXPO theme of "Integration, innovation and opportunity" is perhaps best illustrated by the new 3G mobile phones on display and their supporting TD-SCDMA technology, a communication standard developed by Chinese engineers.

3G – the third generation of mobile phone technology – enables network operators to offer users a wider range of services while using network capacity more efficiently. TD-SCDMA – usually known as TD for short – stands for Time Division – Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access – and is the technological standard that underlies 3-G.

Prices will fall within one or two months

"It's all about providing a better end-user experience," said Chen Shanzhi, chief engineer with Datang Telecommunications. Asked about the high price of 3G phones, Chen said the major manufacturers are still focusing their attention on the luxury market, but as the number of users grows, the price of 3G products will come down. "I think it will start to happen in one or two months' time", Chen said confidently.

Make TD a fashion

Talking about the future development of TD products, Kang Yi, vice president of Spreadtrum Communications Inc., said, "We have to make TD fashionable". The key, in his opinion, is to develop killer applications for 3G phones that will make TD a part of daily life.

'More significant than the Shenzhou space mission'

"If the Shenzhou space mission was a milestone for innovation in China, you can't deny the TD programme is one, too," said Lang Zhizheng on behalf of China's State Council. "Hardly anyone can afford a trip into space, but every one needs a mobile phone. That's why I say TD will have an even a greater impact on our nation and society than our space missions, and it is closer to the people."

(China.org.cn by Maverick Chen, October 24, 2008)