Alcatel says Chinese 3G trial network ready for field testing

Alcatel Monday announced that it recently helped China Telecom deploy a full-fledged 3G trial network in Shanghai within three months. The network is now ready for 3G field testing sponsored by China's Ministry of Information Industry (MII), the country's telecom regulatory body. The project was accomplished through Alcatel Shanghai Bell, Alcatel's Chinese flagship company.

Alcatel has overall responsibility for network planning and design, site survey and equipment engineering and installation. With Alcatel's field-proven Evolium 3G solutions including the core and radio access products, China Telecom is successfully providing Adaptive Multi Rate voice services, video telephony and Packet Switched multimedia services.

To support the development of 3G in China, Alcatel launched China's first open and end-to-end 3G Reality Centre (3GRC) in Shanghai, where Alcatel partners with Internet Service Providers and Content Providers to develop and test innovative user-centric 3G applications. Alcatel successfully conducted China's first public 3G multimedia call on a commercial UMTS product in January 2003.

Today, more than thirty 3G applications such as video telephony, live TV or MP3 music downloading are being demonstrated in the 3GRC. As a leading mobile solutions provider in China, Alcatel will leverage its global experience to ensure a fast 3G rollout.

"According to the MII (Chinese Ministry of Information Industry), 3G investment in China will reach RMB1,000 billion (Euro 102 billion) in 5 years," Gerard Dega, President of Alcatel Shanghai Bell said, "As a long-term strategic partner, we will work closely with China Telecom to play a leading role in the 3G world. With our strong local competence and enriched global experience, Alcatel is a key player in the Chinese 3G market."