It makes sense for mainland fixed-line giant China Telecommunications to skip second-generation (2G) services when it is granted a mobile licence, according to company president Chang Xiaobing.
Mr Chang said, given the technology development, China Telecom should go straight to third-generation (3G) technology instead of first building a 2G network.
However, he added the carrier had yet to make a decision on what mobile technology it would adopt.
The good news is that China's telecommunications regulator has accelerated the process of issuing new mobile licences 'because of pressure from all fronts', Mr Chang told fund managers at a conference organised by Merrill Lynch.
Telecoms equipment suppliers joined calls by China Telecom and China Netcom Group, the country's other fixed-line carrier, in urging the Ministry of Information Industry to issue new licences as soon as possible to boost the mobile sector.
But Mr Chang said he was unable to offer a timetable.