First-generation TD-SCDMA is designed to offer top speeds of 384k bps which, if attained, would be as fast as a typical ADSL (Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line) connection in China. However, the TD-SCDMA USIM cards issued so far have "128k" stamped on them, which points to lower speeds on the trial service.

I tested it out using two handsets: one from Samsung and one from Chinese maker Longcheer, which China Mobile distributed to participants in its final round of testing.

Samsung's SGH-i688 is a candybar-style smartphone with a 2.8-inch touchscreen, a 3.0-megapixel camera with a micro SD card, and runs Windows Mobile. Along with TD-SCDMA, it supports GSM (Global Standard for Mobile Communication) and EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution). This handset was used during the Olympics, and came preloaded with applications for the games' communication systems. For test purposes, Internet Explorer was the main application.

The SGH-i688's biggest drawback is its touchscreen, which requires a stylus. Tapping in a URL took an almost extreme level of concentration -- writing an e-mail would be impossible. The characters are too small to be thumbed and the screen's accuracy was hit or miss. Network aside, only browsing and reading would work well on this handset.

At my home south of Beijing's central business district, I tested out the loading speeds of two different sites: and on both the handset and my China Unicom ADSL service. When they were activated at about the same moment, the Google page loaded at a similar speed on both connections.