China Mobile has awarded Nokia Networks a $970 million contract covering the supply of TD-LTE technology for the operator's 4G rollout.
Under the contract, Nokia will provide EPC and GSM wireless networking equipment, core application platforms, OSS, software and services.
The deal covers China Mobile's rollout for this and next year. Deliveries under the contract commenced in Q1.
China Mobile has currently deployed over 500,000 TD-LTE base stations as part of its network rollout, and aims to be operating the world's largest TD-LTE network by 2014.
China Mobile separately announced it is entering a 50/50 joint venture with Germany's Deutsche Telekom that will focus on developing connected car hardware and software for the Chinese market.
The JV will take advantage of China Mobile's network, customer and service resources and Deutsche Telekom's existing connected car platform.
Its activities will include localized development, providing hardware and software, as well as system integration and operation. as well as content services for the vehicle line-fit and retro-fit markets.
The joint venture will commence operation next year. The main goal for the new company will be providing 4G-based vehicle information services to Chinese drivers, thus becoming a top telematics service provider.