Unicom's WCDMA Network to Support Grey Market Handsets
ChinaByte, 10/15/09
Ren Zhiguo, GM of terminal management at China Unicom's (NYSE: CHU; 0762.HK; 600050.SH) personal customer division, said in a public statement recently that during its network construction efforts, Unicom took steps to ensure that grey market handsets would be able to use its WCDMA network.
Ren said that Unicom deployed its compatibility divisions specifically to test compatibility with grey market phones. Owners of grey-market handsets can download and install relevant software from Unicom's website or can bring their handsets to Unicom service centers.
Currently there are fewer than 50 WCDMA terminals, including handsets, data cards, and netbooks, officially available in China - though many more are available through grey market channels. Previously, when announcing that Unicom would offer the iPhone, Unicom chairman Chang Xiaobing said that China was already home to 1 to 2 mln users of grey-market iPhones.
Keywords: Ren Zhiguo mobile data Chang Xiaobing China Unicom wireless WCDMA 0762.HK 600050.SH CHU handset smartphone 3G black market