Starting on July 19, laptops equipped with Legend GPRS [General Packet Radio Service] network adaptor can log on Internet without any wire bound in 138 Chinese cities after applying for GPRS service of China Mobile.

The service package offered by Legend group is called “Moving Wing.” Laptop users may apply for GPRS service from China Mobile and use GPRS network adaptor developed by Legend group to have wireless Internet access in 138 cities where such a service is available now. In addition, users who have Intel wireless network adaptor and Internet account of China Netcom also can enjoy high speed service in more than thirty business centers in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

Wireless Internet service provides information more freely. The charge for such a service is 1-2 yuan (about 12-24 cents) an hour at present. Business people are expected to be the major consumers of the service in coming two years.

On this year’s International Telecommunication Day (May 17), China Mobile formally declared its commercial operation of GPRS, covering 138 cities in China. In the meantime, China Netcom has set up a wireless broad band network in more than 30 business centers in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

(china.org.cn by Li Liangdu, July 20, 2002)