China's telecommunications authority has revamped the frequencies for the China-developed third-generation telecom standard, TD-SCDMA.

A frequency of 800 Megahertz would be assigned to the standard, replacing the current frequency of 2 Gigahertz.

The State Development Planning Commission has submitted the frequency-plotting proposal to the State Council, China's Cabinet, for approval.

If approved, the new frequencies will be tested for commercial use as of March next year and officially introduced in June.

Wireless 800 Megahertz signals can transmit farther than 2 Gigahertz signals. This technology, by expanding base station coverage, requires fewer stations and thus reduces equipment investments. It also saves handset power use.

The frequency revision indicates the Chinese government's strong intention to support TD-SCDMA technologies and its full confidence in the China-patented standard.

(CRI December 7, 2004)