SHANGHAI'S top media operator has won licenses to start new services, which is regarded as necessary before the city issues its three network convergence plan, Shanghai Daily learned yesterday.

China's government last month announced a pilot plan to integrate the three systems, bringing together TV, mobile phone and Internet networks, in Shanghai and 11 other cites and regions.

All chosen regions should announce detailed plans before August 16, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

"We are doing preparations for the three network convergence plan but government bureaus will finally announce it," said an official at Shanghai Media Group, who declined to be identified.

SMG, the city's top media group, now has the "most complete media services" in Shanghai after it won licenses for Internet TV and mobile TV last Friday, the company said.

The convergence will permit telecom and broadcasting industries to enter each other's areas, creating more cross-platform services such as Internet Protocol TV, mobile TV and online broadcasting organizations on one unified and connected network.

The General Administration of Press and Publication will regulate content and distribution of IPTV and mobile TV, according to Wang Xiaojie, general director of the administration's science and technology division.

"TV broadcasting firms (including SMG) will lead the network convergence and take regulatory responsibilities," Wang said recently.

Shanghai had more than 1 million IPTV users by 2009, the most in China.