China Telecom (CHA) has initiated a unified bidding process for IPTV set-top box terminals to make preparation for implementing its new strategy following the acquisition of China Unicom's (CHU) CDMA network.

Conducted while China Telecom's IPTV V2.0 platform is being tested, the bidding aims to further solve the mutual connection problems between terminal manufacturers and system manufacturers and promote competition of products of IPTV terminal manufacturers to further lower costs. Featuring a scale of 574,000 set-top boxes, the bidding is open to terminal manufacturers who are participating in China Telecom's 2.0 testing.

The bidding definitely reveals China Telecom's strategy on broadband service, which is a core competitive force for China Telecom in the face of the competition with China Mobile after China's telecom industry restructuring.