China Mobile Ltd, the country's largest telecom operator, has invested RMB 80 billion in its 3G development, which is based on the home-grown TD-SCDMA standard, as of the end of 2009, sources reported.

The Chinese telecom giant has signed strategic agreements with provincial governments to develop TD-SCDMA technology, which are expected to boost investment totaling RMB 300 billion in the TD-SCDMA industry and create 100,000 jobs.

The construction of the third phase of China Mobile's 3G network, which involves an investment of RMB 58 billion, has been completed. Now the carrier has over 100,000 base stations and its 3G network covers more than 70% of Chinese cities.

China Mobile offers 266 TD-SCDMA-enabled terminals, including 80 mobile phone handsets. The number of its 3G service subscribers exceeded 5 million at the end of December.

China's top three telecom companies had invested RMB 102.3 billion in 3G by the end of October, according to figures released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

Source:China Knowledge