In 2004, the TD-SCDMA standard for the 3-generation (3G) mobile communications network initiated by China and ratified by the International Telecommunication Union, has become a focus of the global telecom industry in 2004. Both telecom operators and telecom equipment manufacturers have paid growing attentions to the "Chinese standard" for 3G. Almost all-mobile communication equipment suppliers in the world are putting more investment and efforts in R&D for the "Chinese standard".

The Chinese government has been making efforts to push forward the "Chinese standard" since the beginning of the year with the pace of R&D and industrialization becoming apparently quickened. The signing of supply contract for the field test of 3G and emergence of TD-SCDMA cellular phone are proof of such progresses.

Technical advantages of the Chinese standard gradually come to show

In response to the questions for the so-called level problems of the "Chinese standard", Zhang Xinsheng, Vice Director of Science and Technology Department, Ministry of Information Industry is of opinion that the underlying reason for having drawn the world's attention so far lies in the technological advantages of the TD-SCDMA.

The world mobile communication industry unanimously agrees that TD-SCDMA can serve as one of the standards for 3G after intensive researches and discussions on it. The TD-SCDMA is more extensively recognized following the auction of 3G frequencies in Europe.

At present, the "Chinese standard" for 3G has become a highlight of the world. Japan, Europe and US are all paying attention to it. Each and every major telecom corporation in the world is doing research related to the "Chinese standard". The TD-SCDMA has been recognized by the industry even though some problems still need for further research. TD-SCDMA can be connected with the current telecom system, and with its features of intelligent antenna, high application rate of frequency, the TD-SCDMA's technical advantages are coming to show gradually.

TD-SCDMA changes world's orientation of research for 3G

Zhang holds that the TD-SCDMA standard has changed the world's orientation of research for 3G in the following aspects.

1.The "Chinese Standard" for 3G is the only 3G standard based on intelligent antenna. China is leading the world in this field.

2.Development of TD-SCDMA pushes the world telecom industry to make further research and discussion for the software wireless. The 3G will take on a new look if software wireless is enabled.

3.The development of TD-SCDMA makes people pay more attention to the development trend of IP.

The "Chinese standard" makes the 3G research concentrate on the above three aspects, the biggest contribution of TD-SCDMA. If a breakthrough can be made in the above three aspects, the world wireless communication will take on a new look.

China is capable of doing fundamental researches

According to Zhang, China's economic growth as well as development of information industry have created conditions for the development of an innovative telecom system. Chinese enterprises have seen great improvements in terms of economic strength, personnel quality and ability of industrialization. Especially, the overall strength-improvement of the Chinese enterprises in the industrial chain has created conditions for the growth of TD-SCDMA. Aside from the development of core network, terminals and the most important cell site system, the development of a new telecom system still involves design of chip and components production. China has now acquired basic abilities for doing fundamental researches and development even though it is still backward in some areas as compared with foreign advanced level. This ability is a key factor that enables continuous advancement of TD-SCDMA. Chinese enterprises are competent in committing large-scale investment because they have strong R&D strength. Chinese government has been offering strong support to the "Chinese standard", but the major investment is put in by enterprises. Chinese enterprises, especially the Datang group, has put large amount of money into the development of the "Chinese standard". Without such a long-term investment, rapid growth of the TD-SCDMA standard is unimaginable.

The "Chinese standard" targets at the world market

Chinese government will develop the "Chinese standard" as a strategic industry. It will actively call for the domestic enterprises' participation in the industrialization of the TD-SCDMA standard. On the other hand it welcomes foreign enterprises to take part in the development of the TD-SCDMA standard, said Zhang.

"Our target is not limited to the domestic market. We shall go overseas into the world market. By fully exploiting the synergy advantage in the manufacturing and operation fields, we will bend on pushing the commercialization process of the 3G "Chinese standard" ahead.

(People's Daily June 12, 2004)