Rumor: China Telecom to Increase 2014 4G Capex to RMB 46 Bln
Tencent Tech, 11/22/13
According to an industry insider, China Telecom's (NYSE: CHA; 0728.HK) 4G network construction expenditures will reach RMB 45.7 bln in 2014. In August, China Telecom Chairman Wang Xiaochu disclosed that the company would increase investment in 4G infrastructure by RMB 5 bln, bringing the company's total 4G infrastructure investment to RMB 10 bln in 2013. China Telecom's capital expenditure in 2013 will total approximately RMB 75 bln, and is projected to reach RMB 85 bln in 2014.
In addition, China Telecom has reportedly sent out a notice to 4G terminal manufactures, noting that the company will mainly focus on handset, data card, mobile 4G hotspot (MiFi), and customer-premises equipment (CPE) product procurement. China Telecom has required 4G MiFi devices and data cards to integrate support for TD-LTE, FDD-LTE, and CDMA2000 networks, while 4G handsets must support FDD-LTE, CDMA2000, and GSM networks.
Editor's Note: For more background on this topic, please see "China Telecom to Increase 2013 4G Capex by RMB 5 Bln" MD 8/22/13 issue.
Keywords: Wang Xiaochu China Telecom capex wireless network construction 4G FDD-LTE TD-LTE forecast