HONG KONG and BELLEVUE, Wash., Sept.
14, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- China Mobile (NYSE: CHL, HKEx:
0941), the world's largest mobile operator in terms of subscribers,
and Clearwire Corporation (NASDAQ: CLWR), a leading provider of 4G
wireless broadband services in the United
States, today announced a collaboration to accelerate the
development of TD-LTE devices. Specifically, the two companies
agreed to work together to cultivate a robust device ecosystem that
supports multi-mode, multi-band devices with minimum component
complexity and cost.
China Mobile and Clearwire both support the global 2.5 GHz
spectrum band for 4G deployments along with many other operators
around the world. To date, both China Mobile and Clearwire have
conducted successful TD-LTE trials and tests using commercially
available/production-ready TD-LTE devices from numerous vendors.
The two companies will work jointly to further accelerate the
time-to-market availability of high volume TD-LTE chipsets and
devices that should be commercially available starting in 2012. In
addition, the two companies will collaborate to enable worldwide
data roaming among TD-LTE, FDD-LTE and other 2G/3G networks.
"The availability and cost of TD-LTE devices are critical
success factors for operators to deploy TD-LTE networks," said Mr.
Jianzhou Wang, Chairman of China
Mobile Communications Corporation. "The cooperation with Clearwire
will leverage economies of scale in the two largest markets in the
world to speed up the development of TD-LTE devices. We anticipate
the widest variety and most cost effective high performance devices
- modems, routers, smart phones and tablets - to provide end users
with affordable advanced mobile broadband services."
"We expect to launch a next-generation LTE network that will
offer more capacity than any other 4G network in the United States," said John Stanton, Executive Chairman of Clearwire.
"By working with China Mobile, we fully expect to benefit from a
device ecosystem aimed to support billions of potential users
worldwide. This unmatched scale should reduce costs and increase
choices for our customers in the years ahead."
Today's announcement further supports Clearwire's recent
announcement of its intent to add LTE technology to its 4G network.
By joining forces on TD-LTE technology, product, deployment and
roaming solutions, China Mobile and Clearwire are well positioned
to build a viable and competitive TD-LTE ecosystem for the highest
demand 4G markets on the globe.
About China
Mobile
China Mobile Communications Corporation ("China Mobile") was
founded on April 20, 2000, with a
registered capital of RMB 51.8
billion, and assets of more than RMB
1000 billion, possessing the largest network and customer
base in the world.
China Mobile (Hong Kong) Group
Limited is wholly-owned by China Mobile. China Mobile (Hong Kong) Group Limited, as of 31 December 2010, holds 74.21% equity interest in
China Mobile Limited ("listed
company" for short). The listed company has wholly owned subsidiary
companies in 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities)
as well as Hong Kong SAR. China Mobile Limited was listed on the
New York Stock Exchange and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. Currently, China Mobile Limited is
the world's largest telecommunications company by market value.
China Mobile has been selected in the world's top 500 by the
U.S. "Fortune" magazine for 11 consecutive years, and the latest
ranking is 87th. With its brand value rising, it has been named as
one of the world's most powerful brands by the "Financial Times"
for four consecutive years. In addition, it was recognized on
the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for 4 consecutive years, being
the only company selected in Mainland China. Additional information
is available at http://www.chinamobile.com.
About Clearwire
Clearwire Corporation (NASDAQ:CLWR), through its operating
subsidiaries, is a leading provider of mobile broadband services.
Clearwire's 4G network currently provides coverage in areas of the
U.S. where more than 130 million people live. Clearwire's open
all-IP network, combined with significant spectrum holdings,
provides an unprecedented combination of speed and mobility to
deliver next generation broadband access. The company markets its
4G service through its own brand called CLEAR® as well as through
its wholesale relationships with companies such as Sprint, Comcast,
Time Warner Cable, Locus Telecommunications, Cbeyond, Mitel and
Best Buy. Strategic investors include Intel Capital, Comcast,
Sprint, Google, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks.
Clearwire is headquartered in Bellevue,
Wash. Additional information is available at
http://www.clearwire.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in
this press release may be
viewed as "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning
of Section 27A of the
U.S. Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, and Section 21E
of the U.S. Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended.
Such forward-looking statements involve
known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors,
which may cause the actual
performance, financial condition or
results of operations of
China Mobile
Limited (the "Company")
to be materially different from
any future performance, financial
condition or results of
operations implied by such
forward-looking statements. Further
information regarding these risks,
uncertainties and other factors
is included in the
Company's most recent
Annual Report on Form 20-F
filed with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission and in
the Company's other
filings with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE China Mobile Limited; Clearwire Corporation