China’s largest fixed-line telephone company in terms of customer numbers; China Telecom, has announced it is set to enter the UK mobile phone market in a groundbreaking deal that will see the company utilise existing local mobile networks to provide branded mobile coverage for the UK’s Chinese residents as well as visitors to the country such as tourists, business leaders and students.
The deal with Everything Everywhere Ltd, the British operation of the combined European communication giants France Telecom and Deutsche Telekom is targeting the UK market ahead of this summer’s Olympic Games in London, when the numbers of Chinese tourists arriving in the UK is set to increase significantly. Managing Director of China Telecom Europe, Ou Yan said: “Entering the UK mobile market is a strategic move. We are keen to launch the service in the UK as soon as possible as there is a real gap in the market for the provision of tailored mobile services and competitive tariffs aimed at the growing ChiEverything Everywhere is the UK’s largest mobile operator, boasting close to twenty-eight million customers. The company runs two of the UK’s most famous brands; Orange and T-Mobile, and the deal will see China Telecom utilise their extensive 3G network to roll out their plan.
As the Chinese population is the target market, China Telecom will provide services in Chinese languages and make calling China easy to do and easy on the wallet. It has not been announced whether they will also sell branded handsets, but with a wide range of mobiles £100 and under on the market, customers will surely be able to choose a mobile phone with best battery life and additional features that they will understand and be able to use freely. If the uptake is good, China Telecom will also set up packages that will make customers in China able to easily contact mobile phone users on the plan in the UK, making communication easier and more affordable for families and businesses in both countries.
China Telecom estimates the number of Chinese citizens living in Europe to be close to two million, with more than six hundred thousand of them living in the UK alone. If the move is successful, China Telecom plans to expand the operation to mainland Europe.
China Telecom stated their belief that the new service will be available to customers from the end of March 2012.nese population in the UK.”