Source: CCTV.com

12-28-2007 11:21

Fees for telecommunication services across China are showing significant dips this year, and are likely to drop even further in the months ahead. And one reason is a general move in the sector, at least in some areas, towards becoming much more attuned to market forces.

Fees for telecommunication services across China are likely to drop.(Photo: tynews.com.cn)

China's Ministry of Information Industry says telecom charges in 2007 have dropped nearly 14 percent from a year ago and are now almost 53 percent lower than what was charged on average 5 years ago.

And it seems that the decline in fees is likely to continue. Main factors for this being restructuring, a scrapping of charges on incoming calls, as well as a tidying up of complicated packages.

Lou Peide, Executive Secretary General of China Mobile Communication Association said "The introduction of next generation wireless broadband mobile communication, fee structure reforms as well as some other industrial renovations will bring more benefits to consumers next year."

Ministry officials say the new wireless broadband mobile communication service is superior to existing 3G technology. And this means consumers can look forward to even more fee reductions next year.

Wang Xudong, Minister of Ministry of Information Industry said "The Chinese telecoms sector next year will adopt more market-oriented fee structures. But basic services will still be regulated by the government to protect the interests of general public. "

The Ministry of Information Industry has stressed that China wants to bring telecom levies closer to market forces in order to stimulate services. And fee rates are likely to see further slashes next year, while telecom operators will be given more power to set up their own pricing levels. Experts believe these efforts will also accelerate the spread of telecom use and services across the country.

 

Editor:Xiong Qu