Still
no launch date for China's long-delayed 3G mobile telecoms services,
although a local news report this weekend provides some hope for
suppliers -- foreign and Chinese -- waiting for the promised bonanza of
orders for handsets and network equipment.
China Daily quotes an official from the National Development and Reform Commission as saying that China will observe its commitment to provide 3G service in cities where the Olympic games will be held in 2008.
The Olympic games have long been promoted as China's big chance to present a modern hi-tech image to the outside world. A 3G network is seen as key to that goal as visitors from the west and neighbouring Asian countries who take 3G for granted back home will expect to be able to access 3G services in Beijing and other Olympic cities.
However, unless they buy a new phone, they are likely to be in for a shock. China will almost certainly give priority to its own TD-SCDMA standard, which is not compatible with the WCDMA or CDMA2000 standards used elsewhere.
Local media last week reported that some 20,000 mobile phones built for the home-grown TD-SCDMA standard will be released starting from this week in the three main trial areas of Qingdao, Qinhuangdao and Baoding. both in Hebei
To stand a realistic chance of getting commercial 3G services up and running in the Olympics cities, the government needs to award licences before the end of this year, experts say.
The telecoms industry has been waiting for over three years for the licences to be awarded.
More in this EngagingChina post.
