Three China Mobile branches have begun upgrading their regional fixed-line networks with an eye to securing fixed-line telephone and broadband customers, domestic media reported on Jan. 9.
China Mobile's Jiangsu branch is upgrading its local FTTB (fiber to the building) network to 1,000 Megabits per second (Mbps). On completion, the upgrade will enable high-definition (HD) IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) as well as other interactive services, according to the report by Chinese portal Sina.
In Guangdong, China Mobile's local branch is expanding the local FTTB and FTTH (fiber to the home) networks to more buildings and households, while the Chongqing branch is upgrading its combined FTTH, FTTB and Ethernet network.
An official with China Mobile's research institute, who wished to remain anonymous, told Interfax on Jan. 7 that China Mobile plans to increase investment in its fixed-line business in 2009 to expand the capacity of its national fixed-line network.
Industry analysts told Interfax previously that China Mobile will still focus on its mobile business, although the operator's fixed-line business is also critical as it faces FMC (fixed mobile convergence) competition from China Telecom and China Unicom following the telecom industry restructure.
Source:INTERFAX-CHINA