The number of wireless subscribers at China Telecom more than doubled last year as the fixed-line operator lured business away from the mainland's two mobile phone giants.
In a research report issued yesterday, BOC International said China Telecom added 1.8 million users of its citywide, wireless service - known as xiaolingtong - bringing the total to 3.2 million.
Xiaolingtong, which means 'little smart', is a service offered by China's fixed-line operators as they wait to be awarded full mobile licences.
China Telecom released its subscriber figures to analysts on Thursday.
Growth in xiaolingtong users accounted for 21.4 per cent of new customers signed up by the H-share last year.
BOCI said the growth in xiaolingtong users beat its forecast of 1.2 million. But growth in China Telecom's total subscribers covering fixed-lined and wireless users fell short of the broker's forecasts.
BOCI had expected China Telecom to add 8.9 million users last year, with 7.7 million coming from the fixed-line business.