The two telecom operators granted licenses to run 3G networks based on the unproven domestic standard TD-SCDMA can expect to receive preferential treatment from regulators, according to a UBS report. The report backs China Telecom and China Netcom to share a TD-SCDMA license split between north and south, while China Mobile and China Unicom pursue networks with the WCDMA and CDMA2000 standards, respectively. Licenses will be awarded in the second half of the year with each one costing US$374-624 million, the report added. One way in which Telecom and Netcom could steal a march on their rivals is by being the only operators allowed to offer number portability between networks.