Update 5/29/08: iPhonAsia has reviewed numerous current reports which indicate that the newly formed China Uniom/Netcom will receive a W-CDMA 3G license when restructuring dust has settled (in 3 to 18 mos). If this proves true, China Unicom may become an alternative to China Mobile as a partner for Apple (iPhone) in China. It may also be possible for Apple to work with both carriers.
Note also the just announced 5/29/08 iPhone deal in Hong Kong and Macau with Hutchison Telecom Intl. Ltd. Hutchison runs a W-CDMA network in Macau.
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3G Licensing Plans Settled, No Timetable Given
According to a report distributed on 5/28/08 through Shangahi Securities News, China has settled on the issuance of 3G licenses albeit timeframe for issuance remains somewhat vague. This information comes through an anonymous official in China’s State (owned) Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC). Reinforcing previous reports, the official revealed that the 3G licenses would be issued once the telecom industry restructuring is complete (i.e. when the dust has settled – anywhere from 3 to 18 months), with China Mobile operating a TD-SCDMA network, the new China Telecom building a CDMA2000 network on the basis of its acquired CDMA business, and the new China Unicom upgrading from GSM to W-CDMA.
It is abundantly evident that China Mobile will be the lead operator of TD-SCDMA; however there is also some discussion about the two newly formed China carriers also running TD-SCDMA in the future. If China Mobile is not the only TD-SCDMA operator and other TD-SCDMA licenses are issued, China Mobile will also receive a W-CDMA license. iPhonAsia fully expects that China Mobile is lobbying aggressively for this outcome. Nonetheless, China cabinet officials are expecting China Mobile to lead TD-SCDMA’s development and there are reports that, as part of the restructuring process, China Mobile will acquire China Telecom’s and China Netcom’s trial TD-SCDMA networks.
Marbridge Consulting has posted a story on topic > HERE
