GM, China Telecom to equip Cadillacs with 3G services

Aug. 17, 2009 (China Knowledge) - Shanghai Telecom, the Shanghai subsidiary of China Telecom Corp Ltd<0728>, has teamed up with General Motors Corp to build automobiles equipped with EVDO-based information service systems, sources reported.

The first ones, which will be Cadillacs, will be ready in September, said Chen Xiaoqin, vice manager of Shanghai Telecom's marketing department.

Each one will have its own phone number, which drivers will be able to use to make calls as well as summon help in an emergency, said Chen.

The telecom operator will also offer car owners telecom services, said sources.

Shanghai Telecom has 1,580 3G base stations in Shanghai and plans to invest RMB 1.8 billion in the city's 3G network by the end of the year.

The Chinese government issued 3G license to the country's top three telecom carriers in January. In the first half of this year, China's top three telecom operators invested RMB 80 billion in the telecom industry in the first half of this year to boost their 3G networks.