With the advancement of TD-SCDMA industry in China, the name of Putian has been given more and more attention. When the development of TD-SCDMA was still in a dilemma, Putian joined the investment of a new company--Commit, which is mainly aimed for the R&D and production of TD-SCDMA UE chips. Later, Putian became the first company to sign technology transfer protocol with Datang Mobile. As to the field trial of TD-SCDMA underway, Putian is one of the few corporations that deeply take part in. The recent act that it signed MEMO with NortelNetworks for joint development of TD-SCDMA even attracts attention all over the world. However, people always hold the doubt whether Putian can lead the world in the development of TD-SCDMA as a company whose industrialization capability is better than its R&D capability, and whether Putian will become only a manufacture base for TD-SCDMA products. With these questions, TD-SCDMA forum interviewed Dr. Tao Xiongqiang, who is vice president of Putian Information Industry Corporation and dean of Putian Information Technology Research Institute. Dr. Tao is in charge of the R&D work of TD-SCDMA in Putian.

Dr. Tao introduced that Putian Information Technology Research Institute was founded in late 2002. The initial purpose of the institute is to make contributions to the industry of future Putian Corporation and play a role in the change of industry layout of the corporation. As the fastest developing field, mobile communication becomes the key point for Putian research institute. Considering the situation that there have been three R&D groups for the development of WCDMA and cdma2000 in Putian, the research institute focuses on another international standard of 3G—TD-SCDMA. When talking about the basis for TD-SCDMA R&D, Dr. Tao said that they transferred a former cdma2000 group to Putian research institute so that the institute had basic research personnel to continue the trace of TD-SCDMA. After the found of TD-SCDMA industry alliance in 2002, Putian deepened the trace and R&D of TD-SCDMA. At the same time, it actively discusses with Datang Mobile about the technology transfer. Finally, in October 2003, it became the first company to sign technology transfer protocol with Datang Mobile so that it had a higher start point instead of zero in the development of TD-SCDMA. Putian Corporation also gives strong support to the development of TD-SCDMA otherwise it cannot advance so smoothly.

While talking about the advantages of Putian in TD-SCDMA, Dr. Tao said that Putian Corporation pays high attention to TD-SCDMA, and provides strong supports to the R&D of TD-SCDMA of the institute. As to the general problems for most 3G R&D companies such as capital pressure, Dr. Tao disclosed that Putian research institute has no capital problem in the R&D of TD-SCDMA. He said that Putian has sufficient fund guarantee. As to other aspects, the cooperation between Putian and Nortel Networks is moving forward and this will increase the advantages of Putian in TD-SCDMA and even 3G. He pointed that the cooperation is omnibearing and Putian will play an important role in the cooperation. What’s more, Putian has its own planning and arrangement for TD-SCDMA industry. He said that Putian will be in charge of the R&D of TD-SCDMA system equipments and Commit will find its position in the chip field. And the subordinate Bo Dao will become an important TD-SCDMA handset’s production base in the future. He said that in the future, Putian will have the capability to provide total solutions of TD-SCDMA to carriers with all products developed by itself so as to ensure its leading position in future market competition.

As present chairman of TD-SCDMA industry alliance and president of Commit, Tao Xiongqiang pays much attention to the whole development of TD-SCDMA industry. He often gives presentations on behalf of TD-SCDMA industry in relevant conferences and has done great deal to propel the development of TD-SCDMA in China. He thought that the success of TD-SCDMA is very important for the information industry and especially the development of telecommunication manufacturers in China. The success of TD-SCDMA industrialization will further enhance the overall strength of Chinese telecommunication manufacturers. However, if the industrialization is failed, Chinese manufacturers will be defeated and the national confidence will be greatly stricken. He suggested that the government should encourage carriers to adopt TD-SCDMA in the future and should study relevant encouraging policies deeply, for example, it may provide support to TD-SCDMA carriers in business expansion, price and frequency usage, etc.