China Mobile Raises 3G Forecast
China Mobile Ltd., the world’s biggest carrier by subscribers, said on Tuesday it could spend up to 110 billion yuan ($13.29 billion) to build a nationwide 3G mobile network. The company is expected to start building its network shortly after receiving a 3G licence from the government. Market watchers expect that to happen around the middle of next year. In August, the company said the cost of a 3G network could be about 60 billion yuan in the first two to three years, calling the figure a “preliminary rough estimate”.
The company, which operates a 2G network in China, estimates a new 3G network would cost 100 million to 110 million yuan with a capacity of 70 million to 80 million users, a spokesman said. “However, the actual investment required … would depend on the extent of roaming or handover planned to be made using the company’s existing (2G) network in the future,” he said. Full Story Here.