CHINA: CHINA UNICOM RECEIVES HONG KONG MVNO LICENSE.(Mobile Virtual Network Operator)(Brief Article)

IPR Strategic Business Information Database, February, 2002

China Unicom, mainland China's second cellular service provider, has been awarded a license to operate as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator in Hong Kong, according to the Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA), the territory's telecom regulator. The license covers the supply of 3G services once the SAR's 3G networks are up and running, as well as 2G services on the current infrastructure.

Industry insiders expect Unicom's service to target mainland mobile users traveling to HK. As part of the 3G license conditions, OFTA included a requirement that each of the four 3G operators must allocate at least 30 percent of its spectrum to MVNO's. China Unicom now joins China Motion Telecom and Trident Telecom Ventures as the third licensed MVNO. -(Worlditreport.com)