China to revoke mobile roaming rates for domestic calling: Premier

2017-03-05
chinadaily.com.cn

Premier Li Keqiang announced on March 5 the nullification of the years-long practice of charging domestic roaming and long-distance calls as part of government’s move to build a stronger internet industry.

Premier Li rolled out the plan while delivering the Government Work Report at the opening of National People’s Congress, China’s top legislative body, with some 3,000 delegates across China gathering in Beijing.

Currently, mobile phone users can face big bills for long-distance calling within China. Data roaming, or using mobile data in places other than where the phone is registered, also demands extra fees.

Premier Li’s announcement is one of the points that the report promised for innovation in the internet industry. Acknowledging that “in the age of internet, faster and more cost-effective information networks are crucial to the development of every sector”, the report pledged to increase broadband and lower rates for other internet services.

Small and medium enterprises can also expect fall in broadband services this year, according to the report.