HONG KONG, 26 MARCH 2009 – China Unicom will build wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) networks to enable subscribers in 15 Chinese provinces to enjoy high-speed third-generation mobile communications.
China Unicom is one of the three biggest telecommunications operators in China, together with China Mobile and China Telecom.
As one of China Unicom’s selected partners, the Sweden-based technology services provider Ericsson will supply WCDMA core and/or radio access network systems in 15 provinces in China, involving tens of millions of subscribers. These include Beijing, Jilin, Jiangsu, Hubei, Heilongjiang, Liaoning, Anhui, Henan, Hainan, Shanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Shandong, Guangdong and Hunan.
Common core platform
As one of the selected partners, Ericsson will supply the second-generation/third-generation common core platform, WCDMA radio access network system, network rollout services, tuning, spare parts and training services over the coming months.
As of today, first third-generation calls have been successfully made in all the 14 cities supplied by Ericsson for China Unicom's initial pre-commercial launch scheduled for 17 May, the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.
Ericsson has also been awarded contracts to upgrade China Unicom's GSM networks to support 2G/3G interoperability functions in 10 provinces, including Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu, Hubei, Sichuan, Yunnan and Hainan.
