Unicom to Sell Both Networks?

China Unicom, the smaller of the mainland’s two mobile operators, will not receive one of three 3G mobile licenses from the government and its parent will be forced to sell both its networks to China Telecom and China Netcom, the National Business Daily reported Friday. Citing industry sources, the Shanghai government-affiliated newspaper said China Unicom’s parent, China United Communications, will sell its GSM network to China Telecom, and its CDMA network to China Netcom.

China Unicom chairman Chang Xiaobing said Thursday the group expects to be awarded a 3G license from the government, and a company spokeswoman said Friday that this remained the group’s position.

A Hong Kong-based spokesman for China Telecom said Friday that “the group has not received any notification from the regulatory authority in this connection.” Continue >>