A network based on China's homegrown 3G (third-generation) technology, TD-SCDMA (Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access) will be tested in Hong Kong, a spokeswoman for Hong Kong's telecommunications confirmed Monday.

The test will be partially funded by the Hong Kong government, together with other local companies, the Beijing Morning Post reported.

TD-SCDMA is expected to be rolled out in China after the government issues 3G licenses to operators, sometime this year. Chinese telecommunications operators recently finalized their plans for a final trial of TD-SCDMA, China Daily newspaper reported, citing an anonymous source close to the country's Ministry of Information Industry (MII). These trials are the last required step before the technology will commercialized.

The application for a trial license is confined to an area around Hong Kong's Cyberport commercial and residential area. The network allows wireless application developers at the Cyberport to test applications designed for TD-SCDMA networks in China.

As reported by vnunet.com, China's home made 3G technology, TD-SCDMA, is not expected to be ready for commercial service before the end of this year.