China Telecom will announce a network partner for its upcoming UK-based MVNO within a month, according to the group’s EMEA MD Ou Yan.
“We’re still talking to all potential partners,” Ou said in an interview with TelecomFinance.
The MVNO, which…
China Telecom will announce a network partner for its upcoming UK-based MVNO within a month, according to the group’s EMEA MD Ou Yan.
“We’re still talking to all potential partners,” Ou said in an interview with TelecomFinance.
The MVNO, which will target Chinese residents and tourists in the UK, is set to be launched commercially in Q1 2012.
Ou said it was too early to discuss financial details, but added that he expects the division will break even within five years.
“The big challenge for us is how to make the business organic after five years – or maybe even three years,” he said.
If successful in the UK, China Telecom Europe plans to roll out similar MVNOs in France, Germany and Italy.
The group intends to conduct highly targeted advertising campaigns and channel development for its new unit later this year, such as in British education establishments, and in partnership with the Chinese tourism agency and other business associates as appropriate.
Ou said he was optimistic that his company would be able to reach the UK’s more than 300,000 Chinese residents. One of the MVNO’s advantages will be its ability to distribute Chinese content and language specific apps.
