Two Chinese GSM mobile communications providers, China United Telecommunications Corp. (China Unicom) and China Mobile Communications Corp. (CMCC), have commissioned the Siemens Information and Communication Mobile division (IC Mobile) with the expansion of their mobile phone networks.

Siemens will expand the GSM networks of CMCC in Shanghai and Inner Mongolia. The Siemens branch has arranged with China Unicom to upgrade the GSM networks in Shanghai, Fujian, Wuhan, Guizhou and Qinghai.

According to Siemens, the total volume of both contracts for the delivery and installation of around 750 GSM base stations amounts to $196 million.

The Chinese market for mobile telephony grew in July by 3.8 million new users to 120.6 million users, according to official reports.