Construction of TD-LTE trial networks in ten cities in eastern China has commenced, and China Mobile recently started the deployment of a TD-LTE trial network in Chengdu, provincial capital of Sichuan, marking an important move for its 4G network development in western areas of China.

The Chinese telecom operator has completed its TD-LTE wireless network equipment tender for 13 cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xiamen, Qingdao, Tianjin, Shenyang, Ningbo, Chengdu, and Fuzhou. The tender reportedly covers 20,000 base stations.

Of these 13 cities, Chengdu is the only one located in the central and western regions of China. According to the plan, the city will have 1,000 4G base stations by the end of March 2013, which will mainly cover the airport expressway, Nanyan line, first ring road, subway line 1, and subway line 2.

The first TD-LTE base station was built in the Music Park area of the city. Before December 2012, Chengdu will open several additional base stations and establish a 4G network experience area for mobile users.