The 3G network has many new functions, such as video conferencing, Internet access, and a faster data transfer speed. However, people are most concerned about the price of upgrading to the new generation. 

Industry insiders say the fees for the 3G mobile service will not exceed the current 2G standard. Previously, China lacked its own technology patent. And therefore had to pay over 750 billion yuan to foreign enterprises for use of their 2G technology. Now with the home-grown TD-SCDMA technology, this cost has been significantly reduced. The three mobile carriers agreed to set the price equal to or slightly less than the 2G services.

Xu Da, GM of Marketing Department of China Mobile said "For our users sake, we have not increased the price, nor changed the packages. As a result, the transfer to our 3G networks will be very convenient."

The three carriers have different time tables for offering the new service. China Mobile is the first to launch the service in 10 cities including Beijing and Shanghai. And its users will not have to change their phone numbers. It will be available from China Telecom in three to four months, and its users that have numbers starting with 189 will not have to choose a new number. China Unicom has not given an official time table yet.

Analysts say that although the 3 operators have different technology standards, the three networks will be interchangeable.

(CCTV January 9, 2009)