Shenzhen industries supporting merged phone, Internet and television networks are expected to yield a total turnover of 300 billion RMB (44 billion USD) in two years, Mayor Xu Qin said at a ceremony to launch the integration program yesterday (July 26).
Shenzhen is one of 12 cities in the country to trial the program, which aims to make the three systems compatible and allow users to make telephone calls, surf the Internet and watch TV via one cable or wireless device.
Currently, TV, telecom and Internet networks are separate in China, with different operators providing access to the services.
The State Council said in January the program would be accelerated through pilot projects from 2010 to 2012. It vowed to achieve "comprehensive integration" by 2015.
The program is expected to raise domestic investment and consumption by 688 billion RMB over the next three years, according to Wu Hequan, vice president of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.
In addition, 200,000 new job opportunities will be created in the development and production of digital content and the manufacturing and installation of set-top boxes.
As a result, fixed-line broadband services are expected to contribute to a 0.8 percent increase in the national GDP.
(By Li Jing)
