ALCATEL Shanghai Bell, a joint venture between Alcatel and the Shanghai government, said it has secured three separate network expansion contracts with China Mobile valued at 53 million euros (US$67.3 million) in Shaanxi and Jiangsu provinces.

This is another large deal telecom giants have snared before the central government issues 3G licenses, industry insiders said, adding that the pending license issuance forces operators to upgrade networks.

Under the contract with Shaanxi Mobile, Alcatel Shanghai Bell will provide and install the expanded GSM (global system for mobile communications) network in five major cities in the northwest province - Yulin, Yan'an, Shangluo, Baoji and Xianyang.

Shanghai-based ASB will also provide equipment to support enhanced mobile voice and data services, such as Web browsing, video streaming, and instant massaging to nearly one million additional subscribers.

In Jiangsu Province, ASB will deploy an expanded network to serve subscribers in Nanjing, Yangzhou, Xuzhou, Huaian, Yancheng, Lianyungang, Suqian and Taizhou.

The carrier's investment shows its decision to upgrade to "next-generation mobile networks," said Gerard Dega, ASB's president.

China is expected to issue 3G licenses next year and people can enjoy various new services on phones based on the high-speed networks from video conferences, film downloads to multi-player 3D games.

China may need to invest 205 billion Yuan to introduce the 3G system, the China Mobile Communications Association said recently.

Source:佚名