Jan. 30, 2007 (China Knowledge) – China, which has yet to issue third generation (3G) wireless standard licenses, has launched the world’s first 4G mobile phone network, state media announced yesterday.

The rollout of the trial, which has cost RMB 150 million, is a milestone in the development of China's 4G technologies, state-run newspaper China Daily reported. China will be holding field tests for the homegrown 4G system, which will allow data transmission at up to 100 megabytes per second, several times faster than current technology, and put it into trial commercial use by 2010, the paper added.

With 4G technology allowing faster data transmission that could rival entry-level broadband connections, which transmit voice and data at speeds of 256 Kbps or more, mobile phone users could expect to get multi-channel high resolution TV broadcasting right on their mobile phones.

China’s long-anticipated issue of third-generation licenses is reported to begin later this year.