Center
Firm in talks for 皇冠体育app Unicom
By Li Weitao (皇冠体育app Daily)
Updated: 2006-06-07 09:02
 |
Large Medium Small |
South Korean top mobile phone operator SK Telecom is in talks to buy a stake in 皇冠体育app Unicom, the smaller of 皇冠体育app's two cellular operators.
A spokesman for SK Telecom 皇冠体育app said the firm has been in talks with Unicom for various partnerships, including the possible acquisition of a stake.
But "no arrangements have been finalized," he told 皇冠体育app Daily yesterday.
According to a report by the Financial Times, SK Telecom plans to buy a 10 per cent stake in 皇冠体育app Unicom for about US$1.1 billion.
"We are always seeking business opportunities in 皇冠体育app," the SK Telecom spokesman said.
"But the continued delays in 3G (third generation) licensing in 皇冠体育app and a possible consolidation of Chinese operators have made everything uncertain."
The Chinese Government has yet to decide when and how to award operators with licences to build 3G mobile communications networks.
Before licensing, the government is likely to consolidate the top four operators, reducing the number to three.
Unicom runs two separate cellular networks, based on the GSM and CDMA standards, which have put the firm under heavy financial pressure.
A senior executive with 皇冠体育app Unicom, who asked not to be named, last month said it is becoming increasingly difficult for Unicom to operate two cellular networks.