China Mobile fights back
China's dominant cellular carrier is seeking to turn the tables on fixed-line carrier China Telecom by launching a service allowing users to divert calls from land lines to their mobile phone.
China Mobile's move follows China Telecom's December launch of a 'resting point' service allowing users to bypass mobile operators' networks and deliver calls on fixed-line phones.
That move prompted an outcry from mobile operators, causing a sharp sell-off in the big-two firm's shares due to fears of lost traffic.
Guangdong Mobile, the Guangdong unit of the dominant cellular carrier, is expected to launch the service on Saturday to fight back against its fixed-line competitor.
Unlike China Telecom's service, the pending fixed line-mobile call switching service can be triggered automatically without users having to purchase new telephone equipment. Instead, China Mobile users in Guangdong must only register a number to activate fixed-line calls to mobile handsets.
Last month, China Telecom received official approval from the Ministry of Information Industry to offer its forwarding service in Guangdong. On the grounds of maintaining a level playing field, the mobile giant is expected to receive reciprocal approval.
An official at Guangdong Telecommunications Administration Bureau confirmed that China Mobile had applied to the ministry for an approval.
'We've communicated with the Guangdong telecom authority all along and expect no obstacles,' said a Guangdong Mobile spokesman. 'Our service is no different from China Telecom's mobile resting point offer.'
