» China Telecom Steps Up Public Wi-Fi DeploymentsTelecommunications Industry News

Telecom News Editorials Reports Glossary

China Telecom Steps Up Public Wi-Fi Deployments

11:30 am on March 11, 2008 | Category: Cellular, Regulation, Wi-Fi, Wireless, Wireless Technology

China’s leading telephone operator, China Telecom, is accelerating the deployment of public Wi-Fi networks, and plans to launch a new round in the bidding process to acquire wireless networking equipment in 21 Chinese provinces, according to a recent report by Shanghai Securities News.

The telecom giant’s interest in Wi-Fi, which sets the stage for dual-mode cell phones and wireless VoIP, indicates that it may be poised to abandon Personal Handyphone System (PHS)-based services, according to industry insiders.

China’s telecom industry is currently undergoing a reshuffle, in which state-controlled wireless carrier, China Unicom’s CDMA cell phone network will likely be transferred to the landline incumbent, which is also state owned. This will allow China Telecom to smoothly transfer its PHS users onto CDMA-based cellular networks, experts predict.

Telecommunications Industry News