Tuesday May 19, 2009
China Unicom launches 3G network trials
18 May 2009 – China Unicom started trials of its 3G network yesterday, becoming the last of China's three largest mobile operators to do so. According to a report by China's official Xinhua news agency, China Unicom's trial 3G network covers 55 cities and plans to be expanded to 284 cities by the end of September. The operator's president, Chang Xiaobing, said the network would be fully operational by year-end, but did not give a specific date. He added that triallists will be able to make video calls and access mobile TV services via the new network.
The operator - the second-largest in the country after China Mobile - has branded its new high-speed network as 'WO' and will reportedly use three different brand designs to target different market segments. According to earlier reports, China Unicom will initially charge subscribers CNY150 (US$22) per month to access the new network, though further price plans are scheduled to be introduced when the trial is expanded in September. China Unicom received a license to build a 3G network based on WCDMA technology at the beginning of this year. China Mobile is rolling out a rival network based on TD-SCDMA technology (branded as 'G3'), while third-placed China Telecom is rolling out a network based on CDMA2000 1xEVDO branded as 'e-surfing.' According to the Xinhua report, the three operators are expected to spend a combined CNY170 billion (US$24.9 billion) on constructing the new networks this year. ♠ JC
Source: GSMA
