MIIT Issues Draft for MVNO Service Trials
Sina Tech, 1/08/13
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) began circulating a draft of plans for mobile virtual network operator service trials today in a bid to encourage the further entry of private capital into the communications industry. The MIIT is seeking feedback on the draft plans by February 6, 2013.
According to the draft, "mobile virtual network operator services" refers to the purchase, rebranding, and resale of mobile communications services from infrastructure telecommunications service operators. Companies engaged in the resale of mobile telecommunications services will not develop their own communications network infrastructure - including wireless networks, core networks, or transmission networks - but will be required to develop their own customer service systems, and may develop their own service support systems, including service management platforms, billing, and account systems, as necessary.
The draft states that trials will be conducted over a two-year period during which infrastructure telecommunications service operators will be required to sign partnership contracts with a minimum of two service resellers. The MIIT will further research the necessary arrangements for commercial operations based on the progress and the ultimate results of the trials.
Editor's Note: For more background on this topic, please see "Rumor: MIIT to Issue VNO Licenses in Mid-2013" MD 12/24/12 issue and "MIIT to Release Plan for Trial Private Investment in Telecom Sector" MD 11/19/12 issue.
Keywords: regulation wireless MIIT MVNO private investment trial
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