MIIT to Issue 3G Operating Permits Soon

Sources at China Telecom and China Unicom have revealed that the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) will shortly issue Basic Telecommunications Business Permits to China's three main telecommunications operators. The scope of these permits will include the operation of 3G business services.

"We're in detailed discussions with the relevant department at MIIT," a source at China Unicom has stated, "and we expect to have the permit by early next year at the latest."

Editor's Note: This news is consistent with earlier reports that the MIIT had issued a draft document for review suggesting that issuance of TD-SCDMA, WCDMA, and CDMA2000 3G licenses to domestic operators be completed by year's end.