China Telecom (NYSE: CHA) is planning to purchase Wi-Fi equipment this month to set up the wireless network in 21 provinces. Currently, the company has already built trial networks in seven provinces and cities including Jiangsu, ZheJiang and Shanghai.

According to Hong Kong media, China mobile recently indicated that it is expecting to receive the government’s approval to operate telecommunication and ISP business through the fixed-line network. According to the report, China Mobile will receive the license as soon as China issues mobile licenses to fixed-line operators.

According to local sources, six cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjing, Wuhan, Hangzhou and Shenzhen have made plans to build a WiMAX network to provide their residents city-wide wireless Internet access.

Alibaba, a popular Chinese B2B online marketplace, confirmed yesterday that it is planning to launch a wireless IM tool in the near future to join the existing 7 wireless IM service providers.

Redline China believes the decision indicates Alibaba’s plan to push its IM service to the more general public. Alibaba currently operates Ali Wang Wang, which offers IM services mainly for its online marketplace users. However, as the company’s Taobao.com continues to gain popularity, users of its IM tool is also increasing rapidly. The addition of the mobile service is likely to enhance the stickiness and popularity of Ali Wang Wang. Source: 163.com

According to local sources, Chinese cell phone operator China Unicom is planning on a $9 million test project for the microwave broadband technology (WiMax). The test network will be built in 21 provinces in which the company has licenses for using the 3.5Ghz band.