Unicom shells out USD1bn on 3G expansion

China Unicom has completed a public auction to expand its W-CDMA network by 100,000 base stations, with local heavyweights Huawei and ZTE winning a combined total of around 60% of the orders. The tender was valued at between CNY6 billion and CNY7 billion (USD950 million and USD1.108 billion). Unicom intends to improve rural and suburban coverage to around 78% from its current 39%, whilst also strengthening capacity in urban areas.

Source: TeleGeography