The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) selected China Mobile Communications Group Corporation and China Network Communications Group Corporation (CNC) as its mobile communications service partner and fixed telecommunications partner.

BOCOG signed the agreement with these two top corporations on Wednesday and Thursday.

According to the agreement, China Mobile, ranked 242 in the latest Fortune 500 listings, will provide a sophisticated mobile communications networks and services to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, BOCOG, the Chinese Olympic Committee as well as the Chinese delegations to the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy and 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Officials of BOCOG have expressed the need for communication services for a "high-tech Olympics."

"Mobile communications technology will be applied more extensively to become an important technical support system and backup for hosting a successful Olympic Games," said Wang Wei, BOCOG vice-president and secretary-general, at the signing ceremony with China Mobile.

"China Mobile will provide advanced technology and first-class services to BOCOG and will help in realizing the concept of 'Hi-tech Olympics'," said Lu Xiangdong, deputy general manager of China Mobile.

Zhang Chunjiang, CNC president, said as a partner, CNC will provide qualified and professional fixed telecommunication services for 2008 Games by launching four platforms.

Yuan Bin, vice-director of the BOCOG Marketing Department, said BOCOG will continue to sign partner, sponsor and supplier agreements.

(China Daily July 23, 2004)