China's 3G technology is displayed at an international telecom technology expo in Beijing, Oct 25, 2008. [Photo:Asianewsphoto]

China's three telecom operators are expected to pour 280 billion yuan ($40.96 billion) into third generation (3G) mobile phone network infrastructure projects in the next two years, the country's top telecom regulator said on Friday.

The country's telecom business volume and revenue is expected to increase 15 percent and 6 percent respectively next year, Li Yizhong, minister of Industry and Information Technology said at a national work conference on Dec 19.

At least 200 billion yuan will be spent on 3G-related projects in the next year alone, Li said last week.

The government will issue the long-awaited 3G license by the end of this year or early next year, Li said at a press conference last week.

Under the plan, China's biggest mobile phone carrier China Mobile will get a license for TD-SCDMA, a 3G system based on homegrown technology.

China Unicom, the smaller operator, will operate a WCDMA network, while China Telecom, until now a fixed-line telecoms operator, will get a license for CDMA 2000 technology.