MIIT to Reduce Mobile Long-Distance Rates Next Year
China News, 12/11/09
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) have issued a circular outlining the simplification of long-distance wireless calling rates to create a lower-priced rate plan.
Beginning January 1, 2010, mobile users making long-distance calls from their local calling area will no longer be charged two separate fees - one local calling fee and one long distance calling fee; instead, the two fee categories will be combined into a single "long-distance calling fee", with the new combined fee to be no higher than the currently mandated standard upper limit for long-distance calling fees of RMB 0.07 per 6 seconds.
When roaming domestically and making an overseas call, or a call to Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Macau, only a long-distance fee will be charged (i.e. no roaming fee will be charged).
When roaming domestically and making a domestic long distance call, the rule currently in place, which limits the domestic roaming fee to no more than RMB 0.6 per minute, will continue to apply.
According to telecom industry figures, the new measures could save consumers over RMB 6 bln each year.
Keywords: roaming wireless MIIT long-distance NDRC reduction regulation tariffs
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