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China Unicom gets nod to develop 3G network in Macao

By Li Weitao (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-08-18 08:57

China Unicom, the smaller of the two cellular operators on the Chinese mainland, has been awarded a licence to build a mobile network in Macao based on third-generation (3G) technology.

The firm is expected to invest 48 million Macao patacas (US$6 million)  by the end of this year to upgrade its current 2G CDMA (code division multiple access) network in Macao to the 3G network based on the CDMA2000 1x standard.

The 3G network will enable Unicom to offer services such as high-speed downloads and mobile Internet access as well as video calls to its subscribers.

A spokesman for the parent of Hong Kong-listed China Unicom Ltd said Unicom is now also applying for a licence from the Macao Special Administrative Region to operate the 3G business.

"We expect to secure the licence in October, which will enable Unicom to start signing up local customers," he told China Daily.

In 2007-08, Unicom will increase its investment in the 3G network by no less than 40 million Macao patacas (US$5 million).

Unicom was awarded a service licence by the Macao government last March enabling it to operate a 2G CDMA mobile network in Macao, defeating four other bidders including SmarTone Telecommunications Holdings and Macao's leading operator Companhia de Telecomunicacoes de Macao.

This made Unicom the first mainland telecom operator to offer mobile services outside the mainland.