China sets up national cable TV network

China has set up a new national cable TV network, China Broadcasting Network Limited, which was proposed by the State Council in 2010 with a view to integrate telecommunications, internet and broadcasting services.

The company is said to have a registered capital of USD 721.29 million and has appointed Zhao Jingchun, former bureau chief of Henan Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, as the chairman.

The new entity will operate businesses in cable network construction, operation and maintenance, consulting work, research and development of certain technologies. It will also drive the integration process among local cable operators in the country.

Xinhua News Agency said the new company is expected to act as a major force to promote China’s progress in three-network convergence, which aims to combine cable television, telecommunications and the Internet into one seamless chain.

The establishment of the company was on hold since 2010 because of delayed plan approval and some issues related to capital and human resource. The new firm will be the China’s fourth network operator, followed by China Mobile Ltd, China Unicom (Hong Kong) and China Telecom Corp.