- Chinese electronics retailer Suning announced on August 18 that the company has entered into a direct supply agreement with China Mobile, whereby Suning will sell the latter's tailor-made TD-SCDMA mobile phones at its retail stores across China, the Sina Tech News reported on August 19. Suning stated that the establishment of the direct supply model with mobile phone brands will be one of its key focus areas in future. Aside from China Mobile, Suning also has clinched a strategic cooperative partnership with China Telecom, selling China Telecom's 3G mobile phones under the E-surfing brand, according to the same source.

- China Unicom recently has inked a cooperation framework agreement with the Hubei provincial government through Hubei Unicom, the subsidiary of China Unicom in Hubei, the Hubei Daily reported on August 18. Under the agreement, China Unicom will earmark more than 15 billion RMB (US$2.2 billion; US$1 = 6.8 RMB) for the deployment of IT infrastructure in Hubei over the upcoming five years, with support from the government. Of the total investment, China Unicom will invest three billion RMB (US$441.2 million) in 2009. During the next five years, China Unicom will provide comprehensive 3G deliverables, including e-office, mobile video conferencing, online access, and positioning services, according to Xinhua News on August 20. Meanwhile, China Unicom aims to achieve full 3G network coverage in all towns and cities above county-level and key scenic spots in Hubei within two years.