China Mobile and Far Eastone to test TD-LTE network in Taiwan

China Mobile and Taiwanese Far Eastone Telecommunications have reportedly signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly construct a TD-LTE trial network and promote the development of TD-LTE technologies. The Taipei Times notes that the agreement is the latest effort by the two operators to forge closer ties after the Taiwanese government last year blocked Far EasTone’s plan to sell a 12% stake to China Mobile. In a statement, the two firms said that the partnership will help local telecoms equipment suppliers, chipmakers and end product manufacturers test their products in the TD-LTE lab prior to commercialisation. “The lab will help local companies that are developing devices supporting TD-LTE technology to save costs and testing time,” the operators said.

China Mobile has long seen Taiwan as a test-bed for TD-LTE, the next-generation technology chosen to succeed its homegrown TD-SCDMA-based 3G network in China. TD-LTE is the unpaired ‘version’ of the more common FDD variant of LTE, but recent industry moves suggest it could become an important technology, largely due to China Mobile’s support. According to the Taipei Times, China Mobile teamed up with another local 3G mobile operator (Vibo Telecom) last year to operate a similar TD-LTE lab in Taipei.