Telecom Lead Asia: The largest chunk of China Mobile’s new TD-LTE trial network rollout will be handled by Alcatel-Lucent.
China Mobile is extending services to 10 cities. Following the new rollout, China Mobile’s trial TD-LTE network will cover a total of 13 cities.
Last week, TelecomLead.com reported that Chinese telecom equipment maker ZTE has bagged a TD-LTE contract from China Mobile. ZTE will build China Mobile’s TD-LTE networks in five Chinese cities — Beijing, Tianjin, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Shenyang, with more than 13,000 carrier frequencies.
Alcatel-Lucent Shanghai Bell will deliver approximately 3,000 base stations in Shanghai, Nanjing and Qingdao. China Mobile is planning to launch 4G services in the cities early next year using TD-LTE technology.
China is now the world’s largest market for smartphones. In the first quarter of 2012, 22 percent of global smartphone shipments were destined for China.
China is also the world’s largest market for mobile data services at an increasing rate of over 50 percent each year.
TD-LTE network deployed by Alcatel-Lucent will increase the speeds, capacity and quality of China Mobile’s network. It will also give China Mobile the ability to operate with a smaller footprint, lower power-consumption and even greater efficiency.
“It is our honor to be selected by China Mobile for the world’s largest TD-LTE network. With our industry leading LTE solutions and expertise in deploying LTE networks worldwide, we will help China Mobile dramatically reduce technical complexity, power consumption and operating costs in the face of sharp traffic growth,” said Ben Verwaayen, CEO of Alcatel-Lucent.
With around 25 LTE contracts for commercial deployments including two of the largest LTE network roll-outs, and engagement in more than 70 LTE trials worldwide, Alcatel-Lucent has established a strong global leadership position in 4G LTE.
