China Mobile working on proprietary OS

The operating system has been designed for TD-SCDMA and is based on Google's Android platform.

Interfax quotes a source as saying: "The system... will integrate some of our own applications designed with the TD-SCDMA network in mind, and will be similar to the iPhone in concept. Currently we call OMS handsets under development 'Ophones'".

It's suggested that Lenovo Mobile will manufacture Ophone handsets and the first will ship in 1Q2009.

Commentators agree that the move is an aggressive response to the incursion of Apple, Google, Microsoft and Nokia into the mobile services sector.

Interfax said: "It is a scene of conflict, as telecom operators see themselves losing control of their mobile domain.

"This is why China Mobile's move to develop its own OS can be seen as an attempt to reassert and extend its dominance over the mobile internet industry chain, making it difficult for others to get a foothold on anything other than China Mobile's terms in the future."