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China Mobile

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China Mobile is a massive telecommunications company that operates on a global scale. It is the world's largest mobile network operator based on the total number of subscribers.

3G Mobile Phones fot China Mobile
3G Mobile Phones fot China Mobile

It also holds the title of the world's largest telecommunications company by revenue. In China, the company is a dominant force in the industry. It controls 70% of the domestic mobile services market. This leaves 20% for China Unicom and 10% for China Telecom. The company provides mobile voice and multimedia services through a vast nationwide network. This network covers mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

To provide these services, the company manages a complex technical infrastructure. It operates a GSM network that reaches all 31 provinces and municipalities in mainland China.

Tonghai County - Hongqi He - P1360293
Tonghai County - Hongqi He - P1360293

The company also uses GPRS for data transmission. For faster speeds, it utilizes various cellular standards. For example, it helped develop the TD-SCDMA standard for its 3G services. It also uses 4G/LTE technology, which it markets under the brand name "and和".

China Mobile LTE SIM
China Mobile LTE SIM

Beyond simple calls, the company has expanded into smart video products. These are called Qianliyan, which means "thousand-mile eyes." This product line includes networked cameras and cloud platforms. These tools provide remote viewing and analytics for homes, farms, and businesses.

The company offers different brands to serve different types of customers. In mainland China, it has used brands like GoTone for flagship subscriptions. M-zone is a premium prepaid service designed for young people. Easyown is a basic prepaid service marketed heavily toward rural areas.

The company is also expanding its international presence. It launched the Zong brand in Pakistan in 2008. It also provides CMLink services in the United Kingdom and Singapore. These services are specifically aimed at Chinese visitors and students living abroad.

The history of China Mobile is tied to major shifts in Chinese industry. It was originally incorporated in 1997 as China Telecom (Hong Kong) Limited. In 1999, the company was formed during the break-up of the China Telecommunications Corporation. A major milestone occurred in May 2008 when it took over China Tietong. This acquisition allowed the company to add broadband internet services to its mobile business. In October 2014, the company signed a $970 million framework deal with Nokia. This deal focused on the delivery of technology between 2014 and 2015.

Flickr - World Economic Forum - Wang Jianzhou - Annual Meeting of the New Champions Tianjin 2008
Flickr - World Economic Forum - Wang Jianzhou - Annual Meeting of the New Champions Tianjin 2008

China Mobile is a state-owned enterprise. This means it is directly controlled by the government of the People's Republic of China. Control is maintained through a holding company called China Mobile Communications Group Co., Ltd. This parent company owns 100% of China Mobile (HK) Group Limited. That subsidiary, in turn, holds over 70% ownership of China Mobile Limited. The remaining shares are held by public investors. The company is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange as A-shares. It is also listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange as H shares.

The scale of the company is reflected in its massive numbers. As of June 2021, China Mobile had 945.50 million subscribers. Its total market value has reached US$240 billion. In 2023, Forbes ranked the company #25 in its Global 2000 list. The company also employs a huge workforce. In 2024, the company had 455,000 employees. Its revenue has shown steady growth over the years. For the financial year ending in 2024, revenue reached 1,128 billion HKD.

Because of its size and government ties, the company faces international scrutiny. In November 2020, the United States issued an executive order regarding companies linked to the People's Liberation Army. This included China Mobile. The New York Stock Exchange briefly considered delisting the company in early 2021. The company later announced plans to raise up to US$8.8 billion following these events. In 2022, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission designated a U.S. subsidiary as a national security threat. More recently, in 2025, the company faced inquiries from the U.S. House Select Committee regarding security concerns. The company also works to support domestic technology. It contributes to the China Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund to help reduce reliance on foreign semiconductors.

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🖼️ Images & Media (5)
File:Flickr - World Economic Forum - Wang Jianzhou - Annual Meeting of the New Champions Tianjin 2008.jpg
Flickr - World Economic Forum - Wang...
File:3G Mobile Phones fot China Mobile.jpg
3G Mobile Phones fot China Mobile.jpg
File:China Mobile LTE SIM.JPG
China Mobile LTE SIM.JPG
File:SZ 深圳北站 Shenzhen North Station 東廣場 East Square 繽果空間購物中心 Bingo Space Shopping Center shop China Mobile 4G sign Feb 2017 IX1.jpg
SZ 深圳北站 Shenzhen North Station 東廣場 East...
File:Tonghai County - Hongqi He - P1360293.JPG
Tonghai County - Hongqi He - P1360293.JPG
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