China would launch a special program to develop the technology
for a "next-generation broadband wireless mobile communication
network" in 2008, Wang Xudong, the minister of Information
Industry, said on Thursday.
The next-generation technology would be in line with developing
trends in information technology and would contribute to innovation
and Chinese companies' global competitiveness, the minister
said.
Additionally, the country would focus on research and
development of other key technologies such as those for core
electron devices, high-end general chips and ultra-large integrated
circuits, he said.
On Wednesday, the State Council (cabinet) approved a plan to
develop the next-generation network, which analysts said was
related to the third generation (3G) services.
The country is expanding the TD-SCDMA (Time Division Synchronous
Code Division Multiple Access) network tests to prepare for 3G
services during the Beijing Olympics next year.
The TD-SCDMA is a homegrown 3G technology standard. The other
two types of CDMA technologies are the U.S. standard, CDMA 2000,
and the European WCDMA.
There was no timetable available yet for the issuance of 3G
licenses, since relevant departments were still considering how the
services would operate, but analysts said the homegrown standard
was most likely to get the first license.
On the news of imminent 3G service, telecom shares surged, with
China Unicom up by as much as 8.28 percent to 12.29 yuan (1.66 U.S.
dollars) during Thursday's trading.
China has four major telecom operators -- China Telecom, China
Netcom, China Mobile and China Unicom -- and each monopolizes one
or two services.
In a recent report, China's top economic planner said that the
country should reorganize the four operators to require them to
offer "full-range" services. This means major communication
businesses such as fixed lines, internet access and mobile
communication services would no longer be monopolized by one or two
operators.
The report said such a reorganization would create a "relatively
fair" market environment and benefit consumers.
(Xinhua News Agency December 28, 2007)