SINGAPORE (06/13/2000) - China Unicom Ltd. signed an agreement Monday with U.K. mobile phone giant Vodafone AirTouch PLC "in relation to possible cooperations in the areas of roaming and mobile technology", China Unicom said in a statement to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
The agreement is non-binding in terms of committing the companies to definitely work together and non-exclusive in terms of either company entering into similar arrangements with other parties, Mainland China-based China Unicom said in its statement.
The first part of the agreement covers roaming agreements between China Unicom, Vodafone and its controlled affiliates, with both sides to consider the merits of mutual roaming agreements.
The second part covers possible collaboration and cooperation in the areas of mobile technology and mobile operations in China, in accordance with the market opening schedules in China's accession to the World Trade Organization, the statement said.
The parties further agreed to consider possible future mutually acceptable joint venture or partnership relationships in China. If formed, any such joint ventures or partnerships would be established according to relevant Chinese laws and regulations, China Unicom said in its statement.
Vodafone AirTouch, in Newbury, U.K., can be reached at +44-1635-33251 or at http://www.vodafone-airtouch-plc.com/.