telecom - 3G possibly delayed to summer 2007

The Shanghai Daily suggests that the long-awaited 3G-licenses will only be issued around the summer of 2007, based on statements from a Beijing consultancy, Norson Telecom Consulting. No government officials or direct players from the telecom industry are being quoted.
Restructering of the telecom market and patent negotiations are mentioned as reasons for the delay.
According to Norson Telecom Consulting at that time only the license for the Chinese standard TD-SCDMA will be issued to China Mobile.
The Olympic Games in 2008 have always been seen as a deadline for the 3G to get into place and about one year time is expected to be needed to at least roll out the necessary infrastructure and build up a customer base for the service.
A too long delay would also shorten the time 3G-providers have to earn back their investments as competing technologies are expected to replace 3G in three to four years time.
Apart from China Mobile, China Telecom and a merged China Unicom/China Netcom are expected to obtain 3G licenses.
No other stories have emerged after a low-profile telecom conference on 3G was held in the second week of August. By spreading rumors by spindoctors, more official sources might be forced into confirming or denying those rumors.

Update: The rumors I get from de market do not confirm any new delay in issuing the 3G-licenses.