Mobile phone users in Beijing have given a mixed response to
news that charges will be cut.
Regulators announced on Monday they were giving the greenlight
to telecom operators who want to reduce costs of calls.
The long-awaited lower charges are expected to take effect from
tomorrow.
The changes will apply to several package options.
But Ge Jun, a middle-aged engineer in Beijing, said she found
the different price plans overwhelming.
"Different promotions make me feel giddy," she said.
"I hope a more detailed and practical method concerning the
specific price of calls will be introduced, but not in the form of
certain packages."
Four varieties of packages have been designed to meet the
diversified needs of subscribers to China Mobile's Shenzhouxing and
GoTone services.
They include 80 yuan (US$10), 108 yuan (US$13.5), 168 yuan
(US$21) and 220 yuan (US$27.5) per month deals, which enable users
to enjoy 200, 360, 700 and 1,100 minutes of local calls
respectively.
Current subscribers to the GoTone service in Beijing have to pay
50 yuan (US$6.25) per month in subscription fees and 0.4 yuan (5 US
cents) per minute for both receiving and making local calls.
"The move is the first of its kind and the most attractive
special offer designed by our company," said Fan Yunjun, deputy
manager of Beijing Mobile Communication Company, China Mobile's
branch in Beijing.
Qiu Baochang, a lawyer working for the protection of consumer
rights, said: "The new fee method is warmly welcomed, but it comes
so late and could be better."
People in Beijing have been calling for changes to monthly
subscription fees and charges, but got no positive response.
Relevant departments decided to investigate after research
revealed that Beijing lagged behind many cities in adopting
reasonable price policies, said Qiu.
In Guangzhou, one service allows mobile users to receive calls
for free.
Packages in Shanghai are available for 60 yuan (US$7.5) per
month for 360 minutes of local calls, and 120 yuan (US$15) for 800
minutes.
"Consumers, mobile companies, pricing authorities and experts
should all be consulted before new methods are drawn up," Qiu
said.
Wang Anxin, a Beijing lawyer, told China Daily that lowering
mobile charges was a global tendency and that Beijing had to follow
it.
He added high charges were caused by a monopoly situation, with
just a few big telecommunication companies making up the
industry.
Wang said he believed operators would still make big profits,
despite the price changes.
(China Daily May 10, 2006)
