BEIJING -- China Mobile said on Monday that its mobile communications signals have been extended to provide service on the Nansha Islands.

The extended coverage would allow soldiers stationed on the islands as well as fishermen and merchant vessels to use mobile communications in this area, said Chen Zegang, project manager of the Hainan branch of China Mobile.

It could also help fight storms and provide assistance during rescues at sea, Chen said.

The project broke ground in April last year, Chen noted.

The Nansha Islands is a group of reefs, atolls and islands in the South China Sea.