The licenses for 3G (third-generation) mobile telephone services will hopefully be issued in 2006, and the number of 3G mobile telephone users will go beyond 10 million, revealed Chen Yuping, of Telecom Research Insitute under MII, at a forum on SGS communication.

Chen said the current CDMA and Little Smart phone users are potential 3G mobile phone users in 2006. Once the 3G network is launched, both telecom operators and administrations will take measures to promote the 3G service.

Thanks to the rise of China's home-grown communication companies and transnational companies' confidence in the Chinese market, more and more research and development work of communication industry will be moving to the Chinese mainland. China is growing to become a base for mobile phone research, production and innovation, said Yuan Zhi'ang, of SGS, the global leader in the inspection, verification, testing and certification industry. SGS has invested over 10 million yuan in China's mobile photo testing laboratory. The launch of 3G will offer the Chinese mobile phone producers an opportunity to tap into the European and American market.

By People's Daily Online