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China Mobile sharply cut international fares

By Hao Yan (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-07-31 16:53

China Mobile recently announced several international long-distance calling packages offering lower rates for calls to 18 countries and regions in Asia, Europe, North America, and Australia on Thursday, the telecom-focused website C114.net reported.

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In Beijing, the packages cost 30 yuan for between 20 and 100 minutes of conversation, depending on the country. These rates are cheaper than China Mobile's 12593 service, which also provides discounted phone rates. Rates can vary, depending on which city you are in.

For instance, the greatest price decrease is in calls to India and Vietnam, which dropped from 4.60 yuan per minute using the 12593 service, to 1.50 yuan with the international calling packages. Rates for calls to Macao and Taiwan increased, however, from 0.7 yuan using 12593 to 0.75 in the package. Rates for calls to Japan also increased, rising to 1 yuan from 0.7 using 12593.

China Mobile has been testing the packages in some provinces including Guangdong earlier this year. And they have been available in Beijing since April, according to the company's Beijing service hot line.