- China's 3G mobile phone networks will be able to deliver services to 150 million users by 2011, the Shanghai Daily reported on March 6, quoting the head of China's MIIT (Ministry of Industry and Information Technology), Li Yizhoung.

- China Unicom plans to invest up to 95 billion RMB (US$13.89 billion; US$1 = 6.84 RMB) in 2009 into the 3G WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) network construction, according to the China Daily, quoting the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of China Unicom, Chang Xiaobing. Chang said that China Unicom will focus on expanding and upgrading its networks, including WCDMA networks. By the first half of 2009, the company is expected to deliver 3G services in China's 55 cities, further to 280 cities by year-end 2009, according to Sohu News.

Moreover, Chang also confirms that the company is in talks with Apple to sell iPhone in China in May, 2009, according again to the China Daily. Meanwhile, China Mobile was reportedly in talks with Apple regarding the similar matter as well. Further details regarding the talks, however, were not yet known.

- Beijing Telecom, a subsidiary of China Telecom in Beijing, announced on March 2 that the company is ready for the commercialization of 3G CDMA2000 1x EV-DO (Code Division Multiple Access 2000 1x)(Evolution- Data Optimized) services in Beijing, the People's Daily reported. The company's 3G EV-DO networks, currently covering most areas in Beijing's Fifth Ring Road, are slated to reach 98% coverage in Beijing by late March, 2009. Currently the maximum data download speed, enabled by the Beijing Telecom's EV-DO technology, stands at 3.1Mpbs, over 20 times faster than existing GRPS (General Packet Radio Service) and CDMA 1xtechnologies, according to the same source.

Meanwhile, China Telecom also plans to invite bids for six million 3G data cards in 2009, most of which will support both CDMA and Wi-Fi (Wireless-Fidelity) standards, the Sohu News reported on March 3.

- China Mobile plans to separately collaborate with leading mobile phone makers - including Nokia, Samsung, LG, and Sony Ericsson - in the development of TD-SCMDA phones, the Financial Times of UK reported on March 6 quoting chairman of China Mobile, Wang Jianzhou, in a recent Financial Times interview. The cooperation is expected to boost TD-SCDMA phone quality and expand TD-SCDMA product lines. Further details of the plan were not yet disclosed though.