iPhonAsia comment: There is a distinct possibility (albeit just guesswork) that Apple will land two iPhone deals in PRC for launch in 2009 … a customized TD iPhone 3G for China Mobile and a more standard iPhone 3G (already W-CDMA ready) for China Unicom. See related iPhonAsia posts > HERE … HERE … HERE … HERE … HERE … HERE … HERE … and HERE
China Unicom to Launch 1st WCDMA Trial Network on Dec 31
China Unicom is scheduled to launch its first WCDMA trail network on December 31, 2008 and users in Wuxi now can apply to participate in the experiment by sending shortage messages.
Chinese regulators are likely to issue 3G licenses at 2008-end. China Unicom, which expects to obtain the WCDMA license, has kicked off works on WCDMA trail networks.
The mobile carrier plans to initially build WCDMA trail networks in seven Chinese cities, including Shanghai, Shenzhen, Foshan, Liuzhou, Zhengzhou, Baoding, and Wuxi.
It will finish the 3G network deployment in major Chinese cities before mid 2009 and extend the service to medium-sized cities before the end of next year, disclosed persons in the know.
China Unicom Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Chang Xiaobing earlier said that the company’s expenses on the mobile communications field, particularly on the 3G segment, would total around CNY 100 billion in the coming three years.
