Rumor: China Telecom to Buy More Wi-Fi Equipment
Tencent Tech, 3/06/08
According to an industry insider China Telecom (NYSE: CHA; 0728.HK) has accelerated roll-out of Wi-Fi hotspots this year and is soon to launch a new round of procurement of Wi-Fi equipment. The core of China Telecom's business is to gradually switch to wireless networks, and it is possible that the PHS service will be abandoned in 2009.
This round of bidding for contracts to supply 802.11g Wi-Fi network equipment will be launched in March, with China Telecom already having carried out equipment testing.
China Telecom built Wi-Fi networks in seven provinces, including Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Fujian and Sichuan, in 2007, but with coverage only in areas where there is demand, such as airports and cafes.
Keywords: wireless networking strategy 0728.HK bidding CHA China Telecom coverage Fujian Jiangsu PHS procurement Shanghai Sichuan telecom Wi-Fi wireless Zhejiang