China's six telecommunications operators will join-forces to construct TD-SCDMA networks around the end of this year, a major step forward in the commercialization of the China-patented 3G technology Time Division - Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access, Thusday's Beijing Daily Messenger reported.

The six operators are China Telecommunications Corp., China Mobile Communications Corp., China United Telecommunications Corp., China Satellite Communications Corp, China Railway Communication Co., Ltd. and China Network Communications Group Corp.

They will cooperate to build base-stations in Beijing and Shanghai to test the potential for operating the TD-SCDMA telecom network in China. 

Currently, telecom equipment suppliers are engaged in third-stage testing for TD-SCDMA equipment, which is expected to complete in December. 

"Only by the setting up of the joint network can we uncover any shortcomings in the network and seek solutions," an insider told the Beijing Daily Messenger.

The source, unidentified in the report, noted that China Telecom and China Railcom are regarded in the industry as the most likely to win licenses to operate TD-SCDMA services.

(Shanghai Daily November 25, 2005)