China Unicom to introduce WCDMA service bundles on Sept. 26, commercial launch of network to follow
Beijing. September 14. INTERFAX-CHINA - China United Network Communications Corp. Ltd. (China Unicom) will offer its subscribers WCDMA service bundles starting on Sept. 26, which will be followed by the official launch of commercial operations of the network, according to a Sept. 13 company announcement.
China Unicom will offer nine WCDMA service bundles, which will slightly precede official commencement of commercial operations of the operator's WCDMA network, which is scheduled for the end of September, Du Xichen, a China Unicom employee, told Interfax.
According to an Aug. 28 Interfax report, China Unicom had planned to launch commercial operations and service bundles ranging from RMB 98 ($14.34) to RMB 886 ($129.68) in monthly service fees on Sept. 28.
"The decision to launch the WCDMA service bundles earlier than the network itself is a strategic move to warm the market up in preparation for the official network launch. As the WCDMA bundles will be offered at very attractive prices, both 2G and 3G subscribers will be interested in finding out more about our WCDMA network and related services. The official network launch will precede the National Day holiday, presenting a great marketing opportunity," Du said.
China Unicom conducted commercial trials of WCDMA services in 198 cities by end of July, under which the operator provided seven trial service bundles at half price, with monthly service fees ranging from RMB 186 ($27.22) to RMB 1,686 ($246.77).
China Unicom's WCDMA network is now ready for commercial operation in 285 cities.
-CG