China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued 4G licenses to three Chinese telecom operators on December 4th, marking the beginning of a new era in China's high-speed mobile network.China Mobile Ltd. is plowing almost $7 billion this year into building its new fourthgeneration network, as the world’s largest telecommunications carrier strives to retain its supremacy atop China’s telecom market. It could help bolster the international standard China Mobile is backing as telecom carriers around the world look to adopt 4G technology. China Mobile’s investment plans offer new support for the 4G standard it will use, known as TD-LTE. Although currently less commonly used than the other major 4G standard commonly used in the U.S., called FDD-LTE, China Mobile’s effort is likely to lure more smartphone makers, telecom carriers and telecom-equipment suppliers to support the standard.