China Telecom finishes 1st phase 3G network construction

Aug. 14, 2009 (China Knowledge) - China Telecom<0728>, the nation's largest fixed-line operator, has finished the first phase construction on its 3G network across the country, almost six months ahead of the original schedule, sources reported.

China Telecom's 3G network will cover all county-level or above cities.

The Shanghai branch of China Telecom hopes to attract a base of 5.5 million mobile users, more than double the current number of 2.13 million, said Shanghai Telecom's General Manager Zhang Weihua.

Wang Yongzhen, the telco's marketing director, said that the firm's 3G network currently covers 2,055 counties or county-level cities over the country, as well as more than 6,000 villages in the eastern coastal region.

China Telecom obtained the 3G license from the country's telecom industry regulator in January this year, along with the other two major Chinese carriers China Mobile<0941> and China Unicom<600050><0762>.

China Telecom's CDMA 2000 network, which is 20 times faster than the 2G network, is also the fastest among the three 3G networks in China, sources said.

H shares of China Telecom rose 1.74% to close at HK$4.10 on Thursday.