China Mobile will offer TD-LTE network interface cards for trial use in seven cities in the second half of 2011, with download speeds more than 10 times available via 3G networks, according to a report by China-based tech.sina.com.

Under the auspices of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China Mobile is constructing TD-LTE trial networks in Beijing in northern China, Shanghai, Nanjing and Hanzhou in the eastern region, Guangzhou and Shenzhen in the southern region and Xiamen in the southeastern region, with more than 1,000 base stations in total to be established, the report indicated.

China Mobile will also be responsible for operating and maintaining the networks as well as technological and commercial testing of services and terminal devices. Equipment suppliers, including Alcatel-Lucent, Huawei Technologies, ZTE, Datang Telecom Technology & Industry, Potevio and New Postcom Equipment, as well as IC design houses, including HiSilicon Technologies, Innofidei, Leadcore Technology, Spreadtrum Communications, Profact Electronics and CYIT Communication Technologies, will participate in the project, the report said.

China Mobile expects the trial networks to reach a commercially-operational level in second-quarter 2012, the report indicated.