telecom - Lack of testers hinders China's 3G standard

Lack of equpment to test the TD-SCDMA equipment is hindering the introduction of the Chinese standard for the third generation mobile connections, writes EETimes. It proves to be a vicious circle that is hard to break. As long as the Chinese standard is not operational in China, other countries will not adopt the TD-SCDMA. Because the production volume is not high enough, producing testing equipment is not commercially interesting. Chinese operators will have to carry the costs as foreign ones will certainly not take a lead here.
The German mobile phone equipment producer Siemans as, according to Interfax, decided to help selling the TD-SCDMA outside China - as soon as it is working in China.

Update: Another 3G-article from Interfax. Nokia has set up together with China Putian a joint venture in Wuhan to produce TD-SCDMA equipment. Total investment in the JV - where Nokia has a 49% stake - is US$ 112.5 million.