TD-SCDMA update

TD-SCDMA update
All six major Chinese operators are joining forces to construct TD-SCDMA networks around the end of this year, to test the potential for operating the TD-SCDMA telecom network in China. The operators are: China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom, China Netcom, China Satcom and China Tietong. On the vendor side, equipment suppliers are also engaged in final testing of TD-SCDMA equipment, which is expected to complete in December. Huawei, Putian, ZTE, Siemens, Nortel, Ericsson, Nokia, Alcatel, are ready to support the technology. And China is starting to bet on 3G: according to China's Ministry of Information Industry by 2010, 3G services will have 20m subscribers and generate revenues of over $12bn.

With 3G coming, old technologies are questioned. The Personal Access system (PAS) fixed wireless access system will be obsolete. Today PAS is about 84m subscribers in China (perhaps 100m in 2006), and investments amount some $450m in 2005 (down 64%). Due to its low costs with purchase and using, PAS is a success, and could evolve differently. Already, a Q-Box has been launched to integrate the wireless local loop feature (WLL-PAS) with the land line fixed network. Another improvement to be launched soon will be PAS-GSM dual mode handset. So it is likely that PAS technology will continue in China. China Telecom and China Netcom, the two main PAS operators, will launch, however, SCDMA networks in Beijing. Another important milestone has been marked in November, with the first overseas TD-SCDMA (successful) application in Romania.