No timetable yet for 3G: information authority spokesperson

China has been a supporter and participator in regard to the global 3G (Third Generation) mobile communication technology ever since the beginning, and has done a series of network experiments, said Liu Lihua, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Information Industry. As for report concerning the detailed schedule for launching 3G, the spokesperson said there is yet not such a timetable.

China's 3G has been touching the world's nerve. Companies in Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United States and Europe are all very concerned about its pace. Their estimation is that the Chinese government will be likely to make an explicit declaration on the commercialization schedule for the next stage at the "'3G in China' 2004 Global Summit" to be held on November 8.

Previously there were reports saying that the results of the second-phase 3G tests will officially be released in November 2004, which will probably help China realize a substantial breakthrough in operation. Analysts even think that China's 3G will kick off in the first half of 2005.

However, the Ministry of Information Industry has always obscured its attitude on 3G licensing till now. Report by Dow Jones Newswires said that the Chinese decision-makers are anxious, lest the market dominated by state-owned enterprises will throw several million US dollars in vain for a high-speed wireless network, which may be discarded years later.

By People's Daily Online