China is set to speed up the development of trunked radio communication systems 
to meet the soaring communication demands for various government organizations 
and enterprises, officials said last week in Beijing. 
The trunked radio communication system, different from the mobile telecoms 
system which serves the public, targets large enterprises and government 
departments. 

Its high channel usage ratio, rapid access and its ability to function during 
emergency situations make it more attractive than other forms of mobile 
communication. 

"The standardization, regularization and promotion of the trunked radio system 
plays a key role in China's communication industry and national economic 
development," said Chen Ruming, deputy-director-general of the State Radio 
Office. 

Ministry of Information Industry, has chosen Tetra (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) 
technology as one of two digital trunked radio standards to address the needs 
of professional wireless users. 

Optimized to offer integrated data services, message services and, most 
distinctively, group communications, Tetra-based solutions are expected to 
satisfy the special communication requirements of different government 
departments in public security, utilization and transport sectors, said Chen. 

Speaking at the first China Trunked Radio Communication Technologies & 
Applications International Summit held last week in Beijing, Chen said the 
government was stepping up its efforts on the technology's application for 
government administration, public safety and utilities. 

"China's government agencies and commercial enterprises are undergoing a 
digital transformation in the world of communications," he said. "Trunked radio 
communication system plays an increasingly significant role in helping to 
improve communication infrastructure in China." 

However, John Cox, secretary of European Tetra Momentum of Understanding 
Association said China's trunked radio communication industry is still at the 
transition phase from analogue to digital, and the government has to develop a 
brand-new operation model. 

"It also means that China's huge market is still at its infant stage and has 
great business potential yet to be tapped," he said. 

Motorola, the world's leading Tetra equipment maker and provider, said the 
company was very optimistic about business prospects for the application of 
Tetra equipment in China. 

The company has recently clinched the first 800MHz Tetra contract in China for 
Guangzhou Metro. 

According to a statement from Motorola, the company will be "dedicated and 
committed to delivering Tetra handsets that marry ease-of-use features with 
advanced efficiencies." 

"The equipment is designed for mission-critical customers such as public safety 
agencies," said Vanoy Wong, the company's vice-president. 

He said the company is expecting the sales of equipment using Tetra and Iden 
technology, which is another digital communication standard adopted by China, 
will increase steadily in China. 

The equipment is integrated with customer-specific applications and combine 
professionally-managed services, high performance, and secure and integrated 
wireless communication solutions, that are essential to professional mobile 
organizations, he said. Motorola is also investing in excess of US$100 million 
a year in research and development into its Tetra-compliant portfolio to 
position it in the growing 3G marketplace, according to the official.