China Telecom to offer unique services in FTZ

China Telecom opened a new branch office in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone yesterday as it became first Chinese telco to offer telecommunications services in the zone.

It will offer enterprises in the zone "innovation and unique services" covering 4G, business-oriented platform and cross-industry cooperation, the telco said in a statement.

China Telecom is drafting new services and packages specifically for the zone but it didn't elaborate. It said its offerings are "different from other regions," which may embrace telecom services invested by foreign capital and enterprise services that are combined with broadband access and improved business operation.

It will establish a speedy 4G network in the zone as well as accelerate development of new applications and technologies like NFC (near field communications) to facilitate payments and Yixin instant message services.

Since October, China Telecom has been operating an outlet in the zone which has 300 broadband enterprise users.

China is gradually opening the state-controlled telecom industry to private funds and in December, telecom service permits were given to 11 private firms.