China Mobile sufferred from total market failure in TD network era, now it’s time for China Mobile to win 4G era.
China telecom enterprises’ main task was increasing 4G network coverage spots, besides, 4G supported mobile phones was also very crucial. China Mobile took cooperation with manufacturers seriously. Tang Jian, general manager of China Mobile, revealed to Tencent technology news that there were 10 4G smartphone devices selling. By the end of 2013, there would be more than 30 4G smartphone devices in the market from many manufacturers, including Samsung, Sony, HTC, etc.
Mobile Manufacturers All Enthusiastic About 4G
Compared with China Unicom and China Telecom, China Mobile had the strongest desire in 4G market. The main reason was that China Mobile hoped to change the disadvantage position in 3G market. Except for internet connecting speed, China Mobile 3G TD network supported mobile phones were not attractive in design, as well as limited mobile devices. Now the situation in 4G market was completely different, not only these main mobile manufacturers all attended China Mobile’s 4G meeting, but also all expressed their support in making 4G smartphone devices. China Mobile used to ask manufacturers to make 3G TD supportive devices for them.
HTC higher management class pointed it out to Tencent Technology news that all their product lines were included in 4G smartphone devices. Sony will also integrate music, video and game into 4G devices to meet the needs of 4G consumers.
Why were mobile manufacturers all enthusiastic about 4G? Word said that China Mobile planed to procure 50 million 4G devices in 2014, during which mobile devices accounted for 40 million. The large procurement would let any mobile manufacturer heartbeat increase, moreover, though 4G network coverage still needs improvement, it fast internet connection will win the hearts of consumers and mobile manufacturers would not waste opportunities like this.
China Mobile also learned from its mistake in 3G market, it began contacting with foreign mobile manufacturers before 4G license issuance. For example, in August 2013, China Mobile collaborated with Samsung to launch the first TD-LTE mobile phone Galaxy Note 2. It is said that on December 18, Samsung will launch many TD-LTE mobile phones, including Galaxy S4, Note 3 and CS03.
At present, consumers could purchase many 4G China Mobile smartphones in China, including Samsung 7108D (Note 2 4G supportive), Sony M35t, ZTE U9815, Huawei D2-6070, Coolpad 8736, Hisense X6T, K-Touch 1. By the first half of 2014, there will be over 50 4G China Mobile smartphone devices.
Changing to 4G network requires consumers to change to USIM card. China Mobile announced that they would offer free USIM card change service to consumers. If one has a 4G supportive smartphone device, he or she will only need to change to USIM card in China Mobile stores without changing phone number. And consumers could also get a 4G smartphone by joining advance payment plan.
Cheap 4G Smartphone Devices
China Mobile is going to launch 1,000 yuan (USD 164) 4G smartphones together with many manufacturers, which will be the new hit in 2014. Tang Jian believed that China Mobile 4G devices would have a good sales performance in 2014. It estimated that 4G devices below 1,000 yuan (USD 164) would become the dominance in the second half of 2014.
By July 2013, China 3G users reached 340 million, during which China Mobile had 147 million 3G users. China Mobile led for the cheap 4G smartphone devices, which means the popularity of 4G will come very soon.