China to issue 3G permits at year-end

China will issue three licenses for high-speed mobile phone services by the end of the year, state-owned China National Radio reported yesterday, without saying where it got the information.

The nation will invest a total of 800 billion yuan (US$117 billion) to provide so-called third-generation, or 3G, mobile services, the report said without elaboration. China will issue licenses for three different 3G technology standards, the Beijing-based broadcaster said, without providing more details.