Unicom Starts 3G Commercial Trials, No Timetable for iPhone

China Unicom began commercial trials of its WCDMA business in 55 Chinese cities on May 17 and intends to expand the trials to 284 cities before the end of September. Unicom will officially begin commercial 3G operation in the 284 trial cities before the end of 2009. The company announced May 17 that it will recruit 250,000 WCDMA experience users for its 55 trial cities.

Apple's iPhone was not among the list of more than 20 3G handset models released by China Unicom's Shanghai subsidiary on May 17. Unicom is negotiating with Apple but currently has no timetable for introducing the iPhone. Handsets from Huawei, Samsung, Philips, Sony Ericsson and Dopod are among the first round of six terminal models released by Unicom's wholly-owned terminal subsidiary, Vsens. Shanghai Unicom does not intend to set up technology barriers for smuggled ("grey market") WCDMA handsets.

Unicom also announced May 17 that it planned to join Google's Open Handset Alliance the next day, reports qq.com. Unicom and Google will cooperate on mobile search for Android handsets jointly released by the two companies.

China Unicom confirmed prices on May 17 for its seven monthly 3G packages, which range from RMB 168-1,686, the packages are:

n       RMB 186 for 510 voice minutes, 20 video minutes and traffic of 20M, 40TB and 60MB; RMB 0.36 per minute for additional outgoing calls;

n       RMB 226 for 660 voice minutes, 25 video minutes and traffic of 30M, 50TB and 60MB; 0.36 per minute for additional outgoing calls;

n       RMB 286 for 890 voice minutes, 30 video minutes and traffic of 40M, 66TB and 100MB; 0.36 per minute for additional outgoing calls;

n       RMB 386 for 1,200 voice minutes, 50 video minutes and traffic of 50M, 80TB and 150MB; 0.32 per minute for additional outgoing calls;

n       RMB 586 for 2,100 voice minutes, 135 video minutes and traffic of 60M, 100TB and 500MB; 0.28 per minute for additional outgoing calls;

n       RMB 886 for 3,500 voice minutes, 180 video minutes and traffic of 90M, 120TB and 2GB; 0.2 6 per minute for additional outgoing calls;

n       RMB 1,686 for 7,000 voice minutes, 300 video minutes and traffic of 200M, 250TB and 5GB; 0.24 per minute for additional outgoing calls.

(Sorry for Dan, no good news for you!)

Lisa

Comments

[Dan Butterfield]

Hi Lisa,

Now that May 17 has been crossed off the “dates to watch” list, the calendar watch turns to:

Monday, June 8 – WWDC Keynote, a logical venue for iPhone hardware unveilings and the “China deal” announcement.

or ...

Late June or early July for a special event to showcase the new iPhone 3.0. Also a good moment to unveil iPhone in China.

Thanks for your updates :)

~ Dan