| China is not just the world's most populous country, it is | | | | broadband or dial-up Internet services. With the |
| also the third largest country by area. | | | | proliferation of the Internet, it is not easier to make |
| With over a billion people residing in the China, how do | | | | cheap calls and international calls using broadband |
| you think the country will fare economically and socially | | | | connection or Voice over Internet Protocal or VoIP |
| if it does not have modern telecommunications | | | | services. |
| facilities? | | | | What are Some of the Largest Telecom Providers in |
| Telecom: The Basics | | | | China? |
| Before delving deeper into the details of China's | | | | Again China is the most populous country in the world |
| telecom industry, let us first take a look at some of the | | | | - which pretty much increased the need for telecom |
| industry basics. | | | | providers to have sophisticated equipment, and |
| Telecom is actually defined as the transmission of | | | | world-class services. |
| signals over a distance, and it is used mainly for | | | | But what does the telecom industry in China actually |
| communication purposes. As such, the role of telecom | | | | look like? Here, the government has monopoly of the |
| providers is to offer data services, phone services and | | | | telecom industry. |
| entertainment services to consumers and businesses. | | | | China Telecom and China Netcom are in the fixed-line |
| To have a deeper understanding of | | | | business. In 2006, China Telecom ranked number 15 in |
| telecommunications in general, here are the types of | | | | the 50 largest telecom service providers in the world. |
| services offered by telecom providers: | | | | Meanwhile, the mobile telecom industry has the |
| 1. Mobile phone services | | | | following companies participating: |
| This is probably one of the most popular type of | | | | - China Mobile |
| service subscribed to by the general consuming public, | | | | - China Unicom |
| no matter which country it is that they come from. | | | | - China Satcom |
| Through mobile phone services, you can make and | | | | - China TieTong |
| receive calls using your mobile phone. | | | | The last two companies are generally smaller than |
| Depending on the model of the mobile phone that you | | | | China Mobile and China Unicom - but over the years, |
| have, you can also send text messages, e-mail | | | | the government is slowly opening its doors to smaller |
| messages, picture messages and a lot more. | | | | and foreign telecom investors. |
| 2. Cable/satellite television services | | | | Despite the fact that the Chinese telecom industry is |
| For the most part, subscribers who have cable | | | | monopolized by the government, it is still a growing |
| services typically get all their landline, Internet and cable | | | | industry. In fact, China now lays claim to the fact that |
| TV services from one provider only. | | | | they have the world's largest mobile network and |
| On the other hand, satellite television services may | | | | fixed-line network. This takes into consideration both |
| also offer Internet services - but it is generally more | | | | the number of subscribers and the capacity of the |
| expensive. | | | | network. |
| 3. Internet Service Providers or ISP's | | | | With such a huge and continually growing market, |
| Another type of service which is much needed and | | | | there is no doubt that the telecom industry in China will |
| required today, ISP's can offer either wireless, | | | | be a strong player in the years to come. |