China to issue 3G licenses by end-Jan

China is expected to issue third-generation mobile phone licenses before the end of January, the official Shanghai Securities News reported, citing sources close to the matter.

The report, citing a source from Datang Mobile, developer of the TD-SCDMA mobile platform, added that direct investment in 3G networks is projected at 1.5 trln yuan for the next five years.

On Dec 31, China's State Council, or cabinet, gave its approval for the issue of 3G licenses using TD-SCDMA technology as well as WCDMA and CDMA2000.

According to reports, China Mobile will deploy a TD-SCDMA network while China Unicom and China Telecom will use WCDMA and CDMA2000, respectively.