China's telecom development explored

China's telecoms sector maintained rapid growth in 2004, boasting the world's largest network and phone market. The Information Industry Ministry, the coutnry's top regulator, held a symposium in Beijing to discuss and explore next year's development policies, competition and trends.

Telecom experts estimate that China added more than 94 million new phone users in 2004, including over 40 million mobile phones. China now has a total of 320 million mobile phone users, which accounts for nearly one quarter of the country's total population.

Meanwhile, the country boasts over 20 million broad band Internet subscribers, and over 90 million Internet users. Both figures are expected to grow at even faster pace next year.

The third-generation mobile network is considered a major factor that will influence China's telecom market next year. The country is widely anticipated to issue its first batch of operating licenses within the next 12 months.

Experts from the Ministry of Information Industry affirmed the utilization of all three standards, including W-CDMA, CDMA2000, and China's homegrown TD-SCDMA. But the ministry says supply and demand within the 3G network will remain a critical problem.

China successfully concluded the second round of tests for third-generation network technology earlier this year. More and larger-scale tests are expected next year. Foreign players see China's mobile phone market as a lucrative opportunity.

Experts say the introduction of international investment in this sector will intensify competition, stimulate innovation in technology, which ultimately, will bring more benefits to Chinese consumers.

Source: CCTV.com