Greater China

AP News reports that China last week approved long-awaited licenses for 3G mobile networks, a move expected to trigger investment levels of about US$41 billion over the next two years.

Reports today state that China Mobile, the world's largest mobile operator by subscribers, plans to invest CNY58.8 billion (US$8.6 billion) this year on TD-SCDMA technology.

Cellular News reports that China Telecom plans to launch its 3G service in 100 cities within the next three months, as it tries to catch up with China Mobile's already operational 3G network.

China Mobile has urged overseas manufacturers to increase the supply of handsets that support the operator's new 3G network based on TD-SCDMA technology, according to a Thomson Financial News report.

Reuters reports today that China's government has announced its three mobile operators will spend CNY400 billion (US$58.5 billion) over the next three years building 3G networks.

China's ZTE will showcase ten smartphones at the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next week, including handsets customised for Vodafone, China Mobile and China Telecom.

Chang Xiaobing, chairman and CEO of China Unicom, opened yesterday morning’s keynote session with a strong focus on its HSPA network deployment plans that look set to include a future move to even faster HSPA+ technology.