From ChinaNex: ----
chinanex.com
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Wang Xudong, the newly appointed MII deputy minister, will likely succeed Wu Jichuan this spring as China's top regulator. Analysts say Wang will exhibit a very different personal style from Wu.
First, Wang is an industry "outsider" not a technocrat, which will make his administration rely more on regulation than direct involvement. In addition, Wang will likely be more tolerant about new services. Finally, because Wang does not have an industry "complex," he will make MII a more peaceful environment and subsequently, less rigid in policy- making.
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MII will hold a telecom policy press conference on February 28. The agency will report the state of market in 2002, experience in reforms and regulations.
Various MII departments will report on issues related in their respective areas. Major operators are also expected to review 2002 performance and outlook for 2003.
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Shanghai has begun commercial service of CDMA2000 1X, the first city in China to launch the competing service against GPRS.
Services include mobile data, WAP-enable web surfing, and Internet access at 153.6Kbps. Unicom's Shanghai branch said the decision to launch 1X service now is aimed at the explosion of SMS during the Chinese New Year. The service is free before official rates to be announced in March.
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Beijing residents will be able to use GSM, GPRS and CDMA in the city's subway system. Previously, CDMA customers could not make or receive calls due to radio interference.
In addition to all cellpohne services, Beijing Subway Corp. has plans for 3G service, FM radio broadcast and WLAN services in the city's subway.
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China Telecom is reportedly conducting a "secret" test on CDMA2000 in Fujian province. A popular opinion is China Telecom will be forced to use TD- SCDMA as its 3G offering.
Sources say the biggest concern of China Telecom is to adopt a 3G standard against its will; therefore, and the company is lobbying MII to let it choose freely. Some analysts suspect China Telecom may opt for WCDMA for its worldwide acceptance, but earlier tests did not show satisfactory results. So far, no Chinese operators have volunteered to use TD-SCDMA.
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An article in the Chinese media says 3G must resolve three issues before any commercial success.
First is timing for license: the government should let operators decide when to launch 3G. Second is to define 3G users. Many believe the service is designed for high-end customers, but young consumers will likely become early adopters for 3G's entertainment content. Third is applications. Most much-touted 3G services are already available; is there any new apps that we do not know or carry great potential?
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TCL, one of the largest handset makers in China, will reportedly make PAS equipment as margins of handset are falling due to fierce competition.
The company said its subsidiaries TCL Mobile and TCL Communications will begin PAS production this year, but did not say what market share is targeted. UTStarcom is the largest PAS equipment supplier in China with more than 60% market share. TCL Mobile will make PAS systems based on CDMA 450MHz, and TCL Communications will make traditional PHS products. |
