China Telecom to speed expansion (3)

4G roadmap

Wang said China Telecom is tracing 4G technology development worldwide, but did not say which standards the company will adopt.

"The Chinese government is still discussing detailed 4G issues, such as when to grant 4G commercial-use licenses," Wang said. He added that China Telecom is actively joining the discussion.

Rumors have circulated in the Chinese media recently that China Telecom is about to deploy a wireless network using the homegrown TD-LTE 4G technology.

If that is true, analysts say, TD-LTE's 4G standard will have another powerful supporter, and China Telecom's participation will further push forward the globalization of the technology.

Yang Hua, secretary-general of the TD Industry Alliance in China, an alliance focusing on promoting the global adoption of Chinese-developed 3G and 4G technologies, said it is possible for China Telecom to adopt TD-LTE technology based on the current spectrum situation in China.

"We should still wait to see the government's attitude because it is the government that will make the final 4G development decision for those State-owned telecommunication operators," Yang said.

Contact the writers at dingqingfen@chinadaily.com.cn and shenjingting@chinadaily.com.cn

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