China Unicom claims that its ARPU for 3G services is seen at 100 yuan or $ 14.65 which is more than double the ARPU for its 2G services.

"Competition and the selling points of 3G have seen a move to value-added data business from voice services," said China Unicom Chairman, Chang Xiaobing.

For the nine month period, the ARPU from 2G services declined to 41.6 yuan.

"We recognise clearly that it is difficult or even impossible to boost per-unit spending in the voice market," he said.

The operator aims to expand its coverage for 3G services from 285 cities now to 335 cities by the end of 2009 and all cities and major towns by first half of 2010.

China Unicom offers its 3G services on the WCDMA platform. In September it claimed to have recorded 350,000 subscribers for its 3G services which were launch in May 2009.