About China Telecom Industry Taking on the world

"China Unicom in March began its foray into Macao. The firm received the first CDMA inter-regional licence issued in Macao.China Unicom (Macao) is bound by terms of the agreement to have the network up and running within six months in time for the East Asian Games, which will be held in October. Analysts believe Unicom's extensive experience in operating CDMA networks in the Chinese mainland helped it win the bid.'The deal was partly driven by the increasing business co-operation between the mainland and Macao,' says Zeng Jianqiu, a professor with Beijing University of Post and Telecommunications. He says he believes as more than 60 per cent of visitors to Macao are from the mainland, where Unicom is the sole CDMA service provider. Rumours have been swirling that China Unicom has been discussing the possible purchase of Companhia de Telecomunicacoes de Macao (CTM), Macao's leading telecommunications service provider. 'The purchase, if occurs, would be a strategic move for China Unicom in carrying out its overseas expansion,' Zeng says. He says he believes the country has already reached the post-WTO era, a time in which domestic market operators are encouraged to explore overseas business." Taking on the world