Shanghai to build 3000 3G stations in 2009

Nothing is being left to chance for next year's World Expo. Even users of mobile phones can rest assured they'll be able to go online, with authorities in Shanghai saying they expect to wrap up construction of 3,000 stations for the new 3G service by the end of the year.

The Shanghai Economic and Information Committee says most of the stations will be situated within government departments. And that's to ease health concerns amongst residents about potential damage from mobile signals.

Even so, authorities have stressed that all stations will operate under strict environmental controls. 450 million yuan has gone into building these facilities, with the 3G network in Shanghai set to be fully operational by March next year.