Chinese device manufacturer Xiaomi has launched an MVNO to compete with the country’s three major incumbents.
Operating as Mi Mobile, Xiaomi will offer a prepaid plan which charges CNY0.1 for each voice minute, SMS and 1MB of data, as well as a post-paid tariff which provides users with 3GB of 4G data for a monthly fee of CNY59 ($9).
Neither tariff will charge users to receive calls, or to roam anywhere in China. Subscribers of either package can pay a further CNY5 per month for caller ID.
The new service will be delivered via what Xiaomi has termed a ‘triple-cut’ SIM card, which will be provided to all subscribers to the MVNO. The new design can be used for the three most commonly deployed types of SIM card – standard, micro and nano.
The vendor is also launching a new device to accompany the MVNO’s launch. The Mi 4c features a five-inch Full HD screen as well as a Snapdragon 808 processor, and costs CNY1,300.
Xiaomi will offer services via the 2G, 3G and 4G networks of two of its state-owned rivals, China Unicom and China Telecom. The firm was one of 8 that acquired an MVNO licence in November last year.
