Jury out on dramatic telecom restructure

China's long-awaited telecom restructuring plan kicked off on Friday but its impact on the country's major telecom operators remains to be seen.

China Mobile announced a merger with fixed-line operator China Tietong and a slew of personnel changes that will see the former general manager of China Netcom appointed deputy general manager of China Mobile.

Such an announcement confirmed earlier speculation and is believed to pave the way to a much-awaited 3G (third generation) license in the country.