China Telecom reports higher profits in first half on surging 4G users

A China Telecom stand at an information industry expo in Nanjing, Jiangsu province. ZHEN HUAI/CHINA DAILY

BEIJING - China Telecom on Tuesday reported 6.3 percent growth in net profit for the first half (H1) of this year thanks to more 4G subscriptions.

Operating revenues increased by 7.2 percent over the same period last year to 176.83 billion yuan ($26.8). Net profit amounted to 11.67 billion yuan, according to its semi-annual report.

The operator added 207 million mobile users in H1, an increase of 9.04 million from the end of 2015.

There were 90.10 million high-speed wireless 4G terminal users, with a net addition of 31.64 million from the end of last year.

Handset Internet data traffic increased by 135 percent over the same period last year.

The number of wired broadband subscribers reached 118 million, representing a net addition of 4.94 million from the end of last year.

4G services have become a major source of revenue for China's telecom operators in the wake of tepid voice call use.