Chinese roaming charges: Shanghai makes the first move

When the Chinese State Development and Planning Council made an announcement along with the Chinese Ministry of Information Industry on January 2, 2008, they did so out of concern — that roaming charges inside China were a bit on the expensive side.

You see, to some of us who lived in smaller countries (like Switzerland), we’re used to hearing that dreaded R-word only when we cross the border. Telco-wise, though, the PRC is more like 31 small telco republics, each grabbing their bit of roaming charges when you cross from province to province. (We can’t blame the PRC: this is the world’s 3rd largest country, after all.)

Shanghai’s coming out, though, with an offer of its own. Rates are to be sunk to CNY 1.00 per minute (outgoing or incoming, it’s the same price). For just a “function charge” of CNY 1 per month, you get lower rates — down as much as 30%.

Ah — but you knew this couldn’t last forever. No, Shanghai Mobile’s gift to you is time-limited. The era of CNY 1 calls per minute will end on December 31, 2008. Until something is done.

Or until the big telcos decide to slash rates, after all…

Photo from Michaeeel. Cross-posted from Techblog86.com.