Beijing Mobile Launches 4G MiFi Services
Sina Tech, 11/18/13
China Mobile's (NYSE: CHL; 0941.HK) Beijing subsidiary has announced the release of 4G MiFi wireless internet services in Beijing, beginning on November 20. New Beijing Mobile wireless internet customers can receive a 4G MiFi terminal by submitting a RMB 600 deposit and committing to a 12-month contract of at least RMB 100 per month. Monthly packages start at RMB 100, with the cheapest package offering 2GB of monthly data, after which data is priced at RMB 0.29/MB. Monthly data usage is capped at 15GB for RMB 500. New users who purchase any package prior to December 31, 2013 are also eligible to receive an additional 500MB per month of local 4G data for a period of 6 months.
At present, Beijing Mobile's 4G network covers an area bounded on the north, east, and west by Beijing's third ring road, and on the south by Liangguang Road, as well as to certain priority locations such as Tsinghua University, Peking University, and Garden Expo Park. Prior users of Beijing Mobile's 4G trial network have reported receiving a 4G signal on Line 10 of the Beijing subway, located outside of Beijing's third ring road. In areas without 4G coverage, MiFi routers will convert 2G or 3G signals into a Wi-Fi signal.
Earlier this month, Beijing Mobile began sales of 4G handsets from manufacturers including Samsung, Sony, Huawei, and Yulong Computer Telecommunication (Coolpad).
Editor's Note: For more background on this topic, please see "Beijing Mobile Releases 4G Handsets in 10 Service Halls" MD 11/06/13 issue.
Keywords: TD-LTE Beijing Mobile China Mobile wireless 4G CHL 0941.HK MiFi 2369.HK MiFi