China plans to issue 4G licenses in 2013

China’s technology regulator said it expects to issue licenses for 4G mobile services by the end of the year, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing a Xinhua News Agency report. China Mobile (CHL.NYSE, 0941.HKG) has already built out a trial network for the high-speed technology in several big Chinese cities but competition from China Telecom (CHA.NYSE, 0728.HKG) and China Unicom (CHU.NYSE, 0762.HKG) will intensify later in the year in the run up to licensing. The new networks are expected to translate into higher earnings for device makers and network builders.