Shanghai Mobile Communications Co Ltd launched a new fee package yesterday, enabling mobile phone users to enjoy cheaper calls.

The "88" package provided six choices to subscribers from 88 yuan (US$10.6) for 190 minutes worth of calls per month to 588 yuan for 2,500 minutes.

Shanghai Mobile says its "GoTone" subscribers can apply directly for the package users while other subscribers have to apply to be GoTone users first, which involves signing a contract with the company promising to subscribe to the package for one year.

Users of the "88" packages will also get a free voice-mail box for one year. In addition, high-end subscribers paying 488 yuan and 588 yuan a month can dial long distance for just 0.03 yuan for every six seconds, cheaper than the normal 0.07 yuan.

Apparently, the new package is already a success.

Yesterday alone, about 5,000 people applied for the package, according to the Oriental TV Station.

Michelle Zhang, a 21-year-old university student, is delighted that she can save about 100 yuan per month via the package.

Take Michelle's mobile phone bill from last month for example. She paid 323.3 yuan, including 300 yuan for 500 minutes of calls.

Under the new package, 188 yuan for 450 minutes' calling and 0.35 yuan per extra minute, she would have paid less than 230 yuan.

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