3G licences coming soon
By Li Weitao (China Daily)Updated: 2006-12-05 08:25
"It might not be feasible (for operators) to build national 3G networks
immediately," he said. Some analysts expect regulators to allow operators to
first build networks in select cities such as Beijing and Shanghai.
Wang would not specify how many 3G licences
would be handed out. There are four major telecoms operators in the country and
analysts believe four licences could result in excessive competition while fewer
than three could curb competition.
"Government bodies are studying how
many licences, three or four, are needed (to be awarded)," said Wang.
An
industry restructuring has been looming in China's telecom sector, which might see the government consolidate the top four
operators into three while awarding 3G licences.
It has been speculated
that China Unicom, which runs cellular networks based on two different
standards, may sell one network to China Telecom and merge the other with China
Netcom.
But Wang said he "never heard such a plan and we never studied
such a plan."
The minister added that the restructuring is "up to the
board of directors of the four operators, which are all public companies."
The State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC)
has said it is working on reforming the domestic industry but denied reports
that it would split China Unicom.
"There has been much discussion on how
to better realign the telecom industry," a senior executive with China Unicom
told China Daily last week.
"We believe the government would make a
judgment at the right time to protect the interests of the country, the industry
and consumers."
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