From April 1, a test for the commercial use of third-generation mobile phones will be conducted in eight major Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

The 3G mobile phones will operate on the TD-SCDMA network. They will provide users with advanced services such as video calls and video conferences.

Twenty thousand customers from different walks of life will take part in the test. They will receive 3G mobile phones and SIM cards free of change.

Wang Shuai, a manager in the marketing department of China Mobile, one of the country's two mobile operators, says his company will offer 3G customers reduced service fees.

"The level of fees charged to 3G mobile phone users will be lower than that of the GSM users. In order to boost the development of 3G mobile phones, all users will get a 50 percent discount on the fees charged."

Customers now can buy 3G mobile phones and SIM cards at China Mobile outlets.

DaTang Mobile, the creator of the TD-SCDMA network, says the new 3G network will not likely replace the GSM network anytime soon, and customers do not need to worry about the current second-generation mobile phones being outdated in the foreseeable future.