The Chinese government has unveiled a new broadband information network, called 3TNet, which integrates telecom, Internet, radio and TV in more regions in the country, a Xinhua News Agency report said.
The Xinhua report also said the network is capable of offering state-of-the-art video on demand services.
After being tested in the Yangtze River Delta, 3TNet is now in operation in many regions, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology.
The project will enable Chinese Internet users to enjoy interactive broadband and rich media services at speeds of 41 Mbps. For most Chinese families that have access to broadband, average speeds are currently less than 10 Mbps, according to MOST, the Xinhua report said.
The new interactive network gives users much more control and versatility in terms of the services they receive.
Users can order up films and other programs using video on demand as well as a range of interactive digital programs and services such as tele-medical and tele-education services, according to an official from MOST.
The network also boasts an interactive video telephone facility.
The official said China supports the integration of telecom, Internet and television networks in order to minimize information technology costs.
The 3TNet project was developed as part of the '863' national high-tech research program and was listed by MOST as a key project from 2001 to 2005. More than 30 top Chinese firms, universities and scientific research institutes, including China Telecom, Shanghai Media Group and the Institute of Acoustics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, took part in developing the network.