Business / Gadgets

Challenge of IM inspires new China Mobile plan

By Shen Jingting (China Daily) Updated: 2014-02-28 08:22

Carrier will introduce a service that combines contacts, phone, web

Chinese telecom operator China Mobile Ltd, which has been hit by mobile instant-messaging tools such as WeChat, says it is determined to fight back by introducing an integrated communication service this week.

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The company unveiled a plan on Wednesday at the Mobile World Congress 2014 held in Barcelona, Spain, saying that it aims to help consolidate the functions of the phone, contacts and messages in customers' mobile phones by upgrading them into a new format.

People do not have to install any communication applications but can send texts, pictures and other information such as their location to friends or family members directly after pressing the messages icon. The service is charged by the amount of data traffic it uses.

Under the new contacts interface, China Mobile provides clients with multiple Internet-based services, such as group chatting, personal status or information sharing and recommendations. The new phone allows people to experience high-quality voice or video calling by using an advanced technology called VoLTE.

China Mobile said its integrated communication service is scheduled to start commercial trials by end of the year. An official widespread release is expected in 2015.

Li Yue, chief executive officer of China Mobile, said the fourth-generation (4G) technology will create a new development environment in China and usher in a new age of mobile Internet.

"A big challenge for telecom carriers is to move toward the Internet. China Mobile hopes to seize opportunities in the mobile Internet era and focus on the basic elements of people's mobile phone interfaces. In this way we can gain some advantages," Li said.