By Zhu Shenshen (Shanghai Daily)
Updated: 2008-04-18 15:03

People in Shanghai are to be able to access broadband wireless networks in the city through Shanghai Mobile's services at a lower cost than at present, the city's biggest mobile phone operator said yesterday after signing agreements with the city agency for IT industry promotion.

Shanghai Mobile is to establish 666 additional Wi-Fi base stations at the Olympic Games and World Expo sites. At present, it has about 100 to 200 Wi-Fi sites at hotels and airports.

Meanwhile, Shanghai Mobile plans to establish a total of 3,000 3G base stations to cover the region within the Outer Ring Road, which will also provide wireless broadband services besides mobile communications functions. "As a modern city, Shanghai should have a wireless Internet network without the limit of space and time.

People can enjoy video, game and commercial applications through the wireless networks," said Zheng Jie, Shanghai Mobile's general manager.

Shanghai Mobile has established a 2.75G mobile network citywide, which is also able to provide wireless Internet access but with a slower speed compared to 3G.

People can choose the services they require and pay for different packages according to speed.

The final cost will be determined by the base of users, but will be "much lower than the current level", according to Henry Fan, a Shanghai Mobile market manager.