China will have more than 20 million cellular subscribers by 2000, predicts a report released by International Technology Consultants Inc., titled Wireless Communications Markets: China. By 2000, China’s Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications plans to install 150 million switching lines and only 105 million main lines, leaving 45 million lines of unused switching capacity, which will be a source of growth in China’s wireless local loop market, said the report. Mobile telecommunications product sales in China will surpass $2.5 billion by 2000, and most infrastructure and equipment will be supplied by foreign companies, the report added.
Metromedia International Group, through its wholly owned subsidiary Metromedia International Telecommunications Inc., launched its second Global System for Mobile communications cellular system in Latvia. The company’s joint venture partners include Western Wireless International Corp. and Alina, a prominent Latvian communications company. The GSM service operates under the name Baltcom GSM and covers the cities of Riga and Jurmala.
Millicom International Cellular S.A. said it reached 600,000 subscribers last week. The company had 504,440 subscribers at the end of last year. Millicom said it had 93 percent growth during the first quarter, adding 78,185 subscribers for a total of 582,625 subscribers at the end of the quarter.
The fourth Inmarsat-3 Series 4000 mobile communications satellite has been shipped to Kourou, French Guiana, in preparation for launch June 5. The satellite was built by Lockheed Martin Telecommunications. The Inmarsat-3 satellites provide global communications capabilities via land earth stations to customers equipped with a variety of transportable terminals, the company said. The first of five satellites was launched April 3 aboard an Atlas IIA rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Station, Fla., and is located over the Indian Ocean. The second satellite is positioned over the Atlantic Ocean and the third satellite is over the Pacific Ocean.
Motorola Inc. said it is joining with General Motors’ Vauxhall, U.K. cellular service provider Vodafone and the Automobile Association of the United Kingdom to develop the Vauxhall OnStar system. The system is an in-vehicle communications system that provides emergency response, roadside assistance and other services through Vauxhall’s 24-hour information center. Trials are scheduled to begin by next month, and the system will be available this fall, the companies said.
Nokia Telecommunications signed a frame agreement with Telivo, the Finnish subsidiary of Swedish Telia, to supply a Digital Cellular System 1800 network. Nokia will supply mobile switches, base stations, base station controllers, microwave radios, a network management system and the Nokia Artus wireless data product.
