China Telecom, the nation's largest fixed-line operator, announced the launch of its mobile phone business in the UK on May 22, making China Telecom the first Chinese mobile virtual network operator to be launched outside the country.
With around-the-clock Chinese and English language customer services, designed to provide information on transport routes and tourism services, the new service, called CTExcelbiz, hopes to attract Chinese residents and visitors to the UK.
"This is the first time that we're selling a product directly on the consumer market, because our past customers were all companies. But we are fully prepared for this challenge," said Ou Yan, Managing Director of China Telecom Europe. "The launch was also linked to the London Olympic Games this summer, when 170,000 Chinese tourists are expected to visit Britain."
If CTExcelbiz proves successful, China Telecom will launch similar services in other European countries, such as France and Germany. |