The Ministry of Information Industry yesterday released a
message that was taken as a positive sign for third generation (3G)
telecommunications by many analysts.
"We will take advantage of the development of third generation
mobile telecommunications to improve the structure of
telecommunications industry," Lou Qinjian, vice-minister of China's
telecommunications watchdog.
He made the statement yesterday in Beijing at 2007
Telecommunications Industry Development and Policy Briefing.
Analysts believe that this is another message from the regulator
that China was set to roll out its 3G development policy very soon
as well as a new round of reshuffles within the industry.
Lou's remarks echoed Minister Wang Xudong's statement in
December at the ITU Telecom World 2006 in Hong Kong that "3G could
happen very soon".
As a matter of fact, 3G in China has become more possible with
the maturing of its homegrown TD-SCDMA (time division synchronous
code division multiple access) technology, one of the three ITU
recognized 3G technologies. The other two are European-based WCDMA
(Wideband CDMA) and US Qualcomm-based CDMA 2000.
It was reported over the weekend that China Mobile, the
country's largest mobile operator, is considering a bidding plan
for contractors and suppliers for its 3G networks, worth 10 billion
yuan ($1.3 billion).
According to Shanghai Securities, China Mobile started
distributing its bidding plan to eight possible contractors and
suppliers home and abroad, including Datang Mobile, ZTE, Ericsson
and Alcatel Shanghai Bell.
The Ministry of Information Industry yesterday also pledged to
promote the convergence among networks of telecommunications,
Internet and broadcasting and cable TV.
According to a regulation by the State Council in 1999, telecom
operators and broadcasters are prohibited to cross each other's
turf.
However, owing to the fast development of telecommunications,
Internet and broadcast networks and the emergence of new
technologies and services such as broadcasting via Internet and
mobile phone networks, have largely blurred boundaries within the
industry.
"We will come up with proposals and promote the convergence this
year as it has become an increasing trend," Lou said.
"Also, we will actively promote the enactment of
telecommunications law this year to standardize the market and
enhance our supervision."
(China Daily March 21, 2007)