"China is expected to start licensing telecom operators to offer services on its fourth-generation (4G) mobile phone network within 2013. It has made breakthroughs in R&D of 4G technologies, but is still facing restrictions in commercial use. The country needs to speed up base station construction and provide more terminal products, which require greater financial and technological input."

Miao Wei, minister of Industry and Information Technology commenting on 4G capabilities, quoted by the Xinhua News Agency.