BEIJING—China Mobile is to formally launch its General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) nationwide on 17 May under the brand name Monternet. The service, offering high-speed Internet and e-mail, could be interpreted as an attempt to counter the CDMA services of rival China Unicom.
Subscriber growth on the CDMA network is much slower than expected, with only 800,000 users signing up since the beginning of the year. However, China Unicom Chairman Yang Xianzu told the company’s annual shareholders meeting that he is still confident the target of 7 million subscribers on its CDMA network by year-end can be reached.
The number and models of CDMA handsets have increased. While prices of CDMA handsets are still high compared with GSM handsets, prices are nevertheless falling. Vice President Wang Jianzhou said coverage in the 330 cities covered by the network would be improved. He also promised to improve shareholder value.
China Mobile started construction of its GPRS network in Beijing on 21 December, 2000. By the end of the second quarter, the service should be available in 25 cities.
