A China Mobile driven process of equipment purchase from several vendors is in fact, reverse bidding but somehow it is being referred to as bidding in China. It is understood the first phase of the bidding process, in which the China Mobile invites broad expression of interest from the potential vendors and was scheduled to start on Feb 9 has been postponed to sometimes in March on the request of the Chinese government.

It is estimated that the three major operators will invest as much as RMB 26.7 billion on the purchase of 15000 BTS and other network equipment. The commencement of the bidding process will have an impact on the network roll out in the eight nominated cities. It is also understood that the China Mobile will make the purchases for all its regional affiliates.

First, China Mobile will ask the equipment vendors to quote informally to know the rough situation about each vendor. Second, China Mobile will give formal bidding invitation files to equipment vendors clarifying items included in the bidding. Third, each vendor give his formal bidding file including price and service and other commitment. Based on these, China Mobile will choose the cooperators in this TD-SCDMA construction and public the result - the vendor list.

Each provincal company of China Mobile is not allowed to bidding and purchasing with equipment vendors individually. China Mobile group will manage this bidding and the following purchasing, and distribute the equipments to  each province according to their need.

The first step was orginally planed to start on Feb 9, followed by the second step on March 6. However all these are postponed.