Trial networks based on China's homegrown TD-SCDMA 3G standard are to be expanded to three more cities in Hebei, Fujian and Shandong provinces, the South China Morning Post reported. The expansion, which will see further collaboration between China Telecom, China Mobile and China Netcom and equipment sellers and handset makers, is seen as a further step towards the issue of full 3G licenses. The trials, due to be completed by August, are expected to focus on the effectiveness of new 3G handsets with different manufacturers supplying each of the three cities. High-tech firms Huawei and ZTE have formed partnerships with foreign operators Siemens and Ericsson, respectively, to produce TD-SCDMA network equipment.
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