Maverick China Research

In most countries online payment platforms are largely based on existing credit and debit card networks. In China, however, a large number of China’s potential e-commerce consumers are still without credit cards or debit cards, or just simply "unbanked".

In September we illustrated China's reliance on cash by comparing credit card penetration and total population in China and the US. Cash is by far the favorite and most widely used form of payment here, and although it may seem like a step backwards in terms of technology, the added convenience of a cash-based e-payment channel is fitting for the current state of payments in China.

BOCOG has confirmed earlier reports that TD-SCDMA will be used during the 2008 Olympics:

News reporters, athletes and attendees will all be able to take advantage of 3G telecommunications at the Olympics, said Susan Li, deputy division chief in the technology department’s telecommunication division at BOCOG.

 

“This is no easy task,” she said, “considering the Olympic Games are spread through 31 venues, including several outside of Beijing.”

BOCOG had already partnered with China Mobile to provide GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) and WLAN (wireless-LAN) services at Olympic buildings and venues. But now China Mobile has committed to providing 3G services at the Games, she said.

Bragging about having TD-SCDMA at "all 31" venues is a far cry from some of the predictions for TD-SCDMA from just a few years ago.

ChinaTechNews reported yesterday that 66,549 telephone numbers have been suspended since May last year for sending out illegal advertisements in Beijing.