While newly licensed 4G services will speed up China's mobile networks, navigation experts said the speed will open the way for a major leap in electronic navigation using China's homegrown Beidou satellite system.

"A modern information system needs three parts - the navigation system to provide timing and positioning services, the communication system to transfer information and the computing system for data processing," said Li Changjiang, chief commander of the Beidou system.

"4G will help promote the use of the Beidou system," he said.