However, Huang Meng, a telecom analyst with Beijing-based investment company Eagle Stone Investment, said smaller carriers such as China Telecom still hold advantages in battling China Mobile on the 4G stage.

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China Mobile to debut 4G services

"To win in the 4G market, you need a sound network but also you need to be capable of responding to the market swiftly and of designing good packages for customers," Huang said. Because China Telecom exercised its marketing capability fully during the 3G era, leaving China Mobile somewhat behind, China Telecom may make good use of its experience and achieve a good share in the 4G era, he pointed out.

Xiang Ligang, a Beijing-based telecom expert, said China Telecom's move was more a gesture for testing the water than seriously taking market share from China Mobile. "China Telecom's contract plans ask for similar prices to those of China Mobile, so I don't think people would regard China Telecom as a first choice," said Xiang.

China Mobile's spokesman declined to comment on Friday.

Liao Hongxiang, an official with China Telecom's public relations department, said China Telecom launched data card products first rather than smartphones because they are more mature products. "For example, people traveling on business with laptops have a bigger need for high-speed 4G services," Liao said.

China Telecom's 4G data cards will hit the market on Feb 21. Liao did not unveil a specific date for the company to launch 4G smartphones and voice packages.

Huang Yufan contributed to this story

 

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