International mobile-telephone operators have expressed strong interest in building networks in their home markets using the mainland's homegrown 3G technology, according to a senior official at ZTE Corp, a mainland vendor of telecommunications equipment.
'At least 10' international operators had expressed interest in the technology, said Isaac Liang, ZTE's international market director for TD-SCDMA.
'Overseas operators have expressed their interest in the TD-SCDMA technology as they have an eye on the huge mobile-telephone roaming business potential from China Mobile's 3G customers who will use the technology.
'Some have already signed memorandums of understanding regarding the procurement of relevant equipment. They have applied for the spectrum needed and aim to deploy their home networks as early as next year.'
Mr Liang declined to name the countries or operators involved but said they included countries in Asia surrounding China as well as markets in Africa and Latin America with sizable populations and fast-growing numbers of mobile users.
Previously, the TD-SCDMA Industry Alliance said operators in Myanmar and a country in Africa had started technology trials earlier this year.
