TD-SCDMA Chronicles | 1: The Awakening
+8* ChinaPublished October 8, 2008 at 11:57 am 1 CommentBy Yiqun Bo @ +8*, who has been selected among the test users for China Mobile’s TD-SCDMA
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One out of 60,000 (200 x 300?)
My 3G phone was finally activated by China Mobile a couple of weeks ago. At the end of August, I received this TD-SCDMA phone for free, as I was selected as a test user. It was not very exciting, because first it really looked like a normal phone in terms of shape; second I know reaching maturity for the 3G network will take years so my expectation in terms of QoS were rather low. After receiving the phone, I had to wait for three weeks to activate the SIM card due to administration issues. During this period, I talked to the service center of China Mobile five or six times. They gave me their word every time that it would start. This unpleasant experience was a first for me with China Mobile, whose service has usually been efficient. Despite this situation, I am not complaining because as a professional in the mobile industry I know it is not easy at the beginning of a new network. On the contrary, I am happy to have this chance to experience China’s 3G from its birth so I decided to record my experience.
My 3G phone
In June, China Mobile launched a campaign to recruit users for a large scale beta test of its TD-SCDMA business. All the applicants had to reply online to several pages of questions including personal information (name, ID number, gender, age, education level, etc.), and consuming behavior (average consumption on mobile, data service share, what kind of data service, etc.). I was finally selected as one of the 60,000 testers nationwide. According to the contract signed between China Mobile and me, I was to be offered by China Mobile a TD-SCDMA phone, and 800 RMB (6.8 RMB=1 USD, so about 115 USD) as free credit per month. In return, I should use different services as much as possible and submit a feedback every two weeks.
Around August 20, I was informed by a call from 10086, the service center of China Mobile, that I had been selected to be a test user. Two days later, I got the phone and the contract delivered by a delivery company. I remember very well the guy and two huge bags on his bicycle. There were more than 20 TD-SCDMA phones inside! I could not help putting the SIM card and turning on the phone immediately. Apparently there was no signal. Then I called 10086 for the first time and a customer service agent told me “Your SIM card has not been activated yet. Please wait for the activation for 7 days in maximum”. So I had enough time to have a closer look at my phone. It provides TD-SCDMA/GSM dual mode, USB 2.0, two cameras with 2 million pixels for the main one, 1.9 inches screen, weight of 110g, bluetooth, etc., more details here, more pictures here.
Finally activated
Seven days later, I had to call again 10086 because I still had no network. Then everything has been unclear during the next two weeks. “maybe the delivery company didn’t give us your information in time”, “I noted your question. Our client representative will call you back”, “The problem will be resolved within two days”, “I have no idea on why my colleague promised you two days, because we just take charge of GSM service and noting questions on TD-SCDMA, then transfering these questions to the TD-SCDMA team which can be reached directly by customers only in the case of calling 10086 from a TD-SCDMA phone”, etc.
I was surprised by this situation as 10086 is usually a very efficient call center, with 7*24*365 service, always free even while traveling out of China, staffed with real, friendly and efficient people providing quick feedback. Obviously, the business process is not perfect yet, especially for the communication between GSM teams and TD-SCDMA support teams.
Last week, about 3 weeks after receiving it, my phone started working (note that two other friends who were also selected could use it within just a few days). As I should send a ‘report’ regularly to China Mobile, I will note my experience of service usage and post my impressions regularly. Looking forward to a new and improved 3G life!
ben ouais, la 3G en france c mieux! Et puis bouygues no1 de la relation client!
C’est tout…
Biz