China Mobile set for 4G services in 340 cities

Xi Guohua speaks at China Mobile Global Partner Conference 2013 in Guangzhou. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

China Mobile, the nation's biggest telecom operator by subscriber numbers, will offer commercial fourth generation (4G) telecom services in 340 Chinese cities next year.

Xi Guohua, chairman of China Mobile Ltd, said on Wednesday that the company will build 500,000 4G base stations across China in 2014, constituting the world's largest 4G network. Xi was speaking during the China Mobile Global Partner Conference in Guangzhou.

"China Mobile's marketing focus next year is in terminal sales, since mobile terminals are the foundation for mobile Internet development," Xi pointed out.

Xi predicted that the total number of TD-LTE mobile phone models will pass 200 and entry-level 4G smartphones will hit the market in 2014.

China Mobile is targeting sales of 190 million to 220 million mobile terminals running on its wireless networks by 2014, Xi said.

In order to attract more users, China Mobile will offer generous subsidies. The company plans to invest 2.7 billion yuan ($442 million) in handset subsidies next year.