China Telecom keeps them guessing on 3G
2003-04-01 China Daily
To choose WCDMA (Wideband CDMA) or TD-SCDMA (Time Division Synchronous Code
Division Multiple Access), that is the question for China Telecom in carrying
out its third generation (3G) of mobile telecommunications business.
However, according to a recent report by Zhongxing Telecommunications (ZTE),
one of the country's leading telecommunication equipment manufacturers, China
Telecom favours WCDMA as its 3G standard when securing a 3G licence.
The conclusion overturned analysts predictions that as the country's largest
fixed line operator, China Telecom will adopt TD-SCDMA.
The home grown standard developed by Datang Mobile Communications Equipment
Co Ltd is a potential rival to Europe's WCDMA and the CDMA2000 standard produced
by US-based Qualcomm Corp.
"China Telecom tends to adopt European WCDMA," said the report entitled
"Management and Development of China Telecom in 2003."
"China Telecom's high-ranking officials hope to get the mobile licence as
soon as possible and adopt WCDMA as its major standard for 3G mobile
telecommunications," it said.
According to the report, China Telecom is scheduled to build up a trial
commercial 3G network, mainly based on WCDMA technology, in seven cities
including Shanghai, and cities in Guangdong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
Meanwhile, it will be stepping up its efforts to synchronize its fixed line
business with 3G.
Analysts expect the Ministry of Information Industry to grant 3G mobile
licences late this year or in 2004.
Fixed-line operators, China Telecom and China Netcom, are expected to receive
licences, along with China Mobile and China Unicom.
Analysts believe that China will consider both domestic and international
standards when it issues 3G licences.
China Unicom, which has built a current generation CDMA network together with
its GSM (global system for mobile telecommunications) system, is expected to
choose Qualcomm's CDMA2000.
Last Wednesday, Tang Ru'an, chief operating officer of China Datang Mobile
Communications Equipment Co Ltd, said in an interview that China Mobile would
probably adopt European technology.
"As the world's biggest GSM mobile phone carrier, I think it is technically
logical and easier for it to choose WCDMA," he said.
Some analysts said that China would require at least one of its two big
fixed-line carriers to adopt the home grown TD-SCDMA.
It was wildly speculated that China Telecom will adopt TD-SCDMA as its 3G
standard, or use TD-SCDMA in conjunction with WCDMA.
Lu Tingjie, member of the 3G Development Committee of Experts under the State
Information Working Office, said in spite of the various possibilities, a final
decision has yet to be made by the regulators.
"The most likely scenario is China Telecom will choose both WCDMA and
TD-SCDMA standards,".
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