China tests next generation of mobile phones
Last Updated: Monday, January 29, 2007 | 11:17 AM ET
CBC News
China has launched a trial of the latest in wireless phone technology, despite government restrictions that have delayed internet-ready mobile phones from being offered in the country.
The Shanghai-based trial will use home-grown fourth-generation mobile technology, which will allow faster speeds than currently available phones offer, as well as better image quality for visual data and the potential to offer services such as high-definition television broadcasting.
"It testifies that the technology we've developed is feasible and brings us one step closer to put it into commercial use," said the China Daily, quoting You Xiaohu of China's 4G development program, the Future Project.
The 4G trial will cost 150 million yuan, or $22.8 million, and eventually lead to a commercial trial in 2010.
The country's trial of the technology comes as a surprise, however, because China has yet to issue any licences for so-called third-generation mobile phones capable of connecting to the internet and viewing video.
Repeated government delays have stalled the implementation of third-generation phone technology, first tested in China in 2001.
China had approximately 461 million mobile phone users by the end of 2006, according to government statistics.
The expected launch of third-generation mobile phones, which have become increasingly common in the developed world, is expected to dramatically increase the number of Chinese citizens with internet access.
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