China Unicom said it expects to invest as much as 100 bln yuan on mobile telecom services in the three years after winning approval to launch 3G services from telecom regulators.

In a statement published on the official China Securities Journal, the company added telecom equipment procurement costs are estimated at up to 75 mln yuan in 2008, 350 mln yuan in 2009 and 550 mln yuan in 2010.

According to the telecom industry restructuring plan issued in June, China Telecom will take over China Unicom's CDMA mobile network, while Unicom's GSM mobile network will be merged with China Netcom.

Media reported that China Unicom is expected to gain a 3G license for WCDMA services after the telecom restructuring.

(1 usd = 6.8 yuan)

Source:XFN