Alibaba, Tencent want pieces of telecom giant

China United Network Communications Group Co, the country's second-largest mobile carrier by subscribers, has set up two operating centers to deepen cooperation with Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and Tencent Holdings Ltd.

The move signals that Alibaba and Tencent are almost certain to become shareholders of China Unicom, as the State-owned telecom carrier accelerates its push for mixed-ownership reform, analysts said.

According to a document obtained by China Daily, the two centers, established in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, and Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, are designed to expand cooperation, respectively, with Tencent and Alibaba.