- Partnerships with Huawei and Ericsson: China Telecom has formed strategic partnerships with Huawei and Ericsson, two of the world's leading telecommunications equipment suppliers, to develop its 3G network. These partnerships give China Telecom access to cutting-edge technology and expertise, allowing it to quickly and efficiently deploy its 3G network.

- Early investments in infrastructure: China Telecom has been aggressively investing in its 3G infrastructure since 2008, when it was awarded the licenses for the 3G spectrum. This early investment has allowed China Telecom to build up a substantial lead over its competitors in terms of network coverage and quality.

- Strong financial position: China Telecom is one of the most financially sound companies in the telecommunications industry, with a strong balance sheet and a healthy cash flow. This financial strength allows China Telecom to invest heavily in its 3G network and to compete effectively with its rivals.

- First-mover advantage: China Telecom was the first Chinese mobile carrier to launch a 3G network, in 2009. This gave China Telecom a first-mover advantage, allowing it to capture a significant share of the 3G market before its competitors could launch their own networks.

However, China Telecom still faces some challenges in the 3G race. For example, it is still behind China Mobile in terms of overall market share, and it is facing increasing competition from China Unicom. Additionally, China Telecom is still in the process of rolling out its 3G network, and there are still some areas where 3G coverage is not yet available.

Despite these challenges, China Telecom remains the front-runner in the 3G race, and it is well-positioned to capitalize on the rapid growth of the Chinese 3G market.