China Mobile Launches New 3/6/9 Roaming Data Tariffs for International, Hong Kong, Macau & Taiwan – Covering 80 Popular Countries
For centuries, it has been an unchanging tradition for people to return home during the Spring Festival to reunite with family. But nowadays, taking the opportunity of the holiday to travel abroad with family and experience foreign cultures is gradually becoming a new trend. According to survey data on urban residents’ travel intentions from the China Tourism Academy in 2014, overall outbound travel by tourists from Guangdong increased by more than 50%, with growth rates in destinations such as Thailand, South Korea, and Hong Kong & Macau exceeding 100%. However, what frustrates many consumers is that the “sky-high roaming data charges” incurred overseas often come as a shock — sometimes, just a few days of roaming can cost as much as a full year’s worth of usage back home.
The Year of the Horse brings instant discounts. It has been announced that starting January 25, China Mobile will implement new 3-yuan/6-yuan/9-yuan roaming data tariffs for 80 popular outbound countries or regions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada. These new tariffs will reduce average mobile internet roaming data costs by 82%, significantly easing the burden on travelers. Notably, China Mobile has also introduced a “dual cap” service for both fees and data usage, helping travelers stay far away from “sky-high roaming data charges.”
New “3/6/9” Tariffs Cut Costs by 82% on Average
According to reports, the newly launched international and Hong Kong, Macau & Taiwan roaming data tariffs of 3 yuan/6 yuan/9 yuan all include 3MB of local data per package, regardless of the tier. For example, 3 yuan gets you 3MB in 8 countries or regions including Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the United States; 6 yuan gets you 3MB in 38 countries or regions including Macau, Thailand, and the United Kingdom; and 9 yuan gets you 3MB in 34 countries or regions including Canada, Italy, and Brazil. Compared to the previous daily package of 18 yuan for 5MB, even the “most expensive” 9-yuan/3MB package offers users a 20% discount — not to mention the greater reductions seen in the 3-yuan and 6-yuan packages. On average, the new tariffs have reduced mobile internet data costs by 82%.
In addition, China Mobile has reduced the roaming WLAN tariffs in the United States and Hong Kong to 6 yuan per day. Users can log in to local carrier WLAN networks via the China Mobile “EasyRoam” app and enjoy unlimited internet access for just 6 yuan per day.
According to staff at Guangdong Mobile, the new “3/6/9 yuan” international and Hong Kong, Macau & Taiwan roaming data tariffs do not require any application — they take effect automatically once users activate international and Hong Kong, Macau & Taiwan roaming data and WLAN services. Moreover, the previously available 18-yuan/5MB daily data package has also been automatically updated to the new tariff.
“Dual Cap” Prevents Sky-High Roaming Charges
Overseas internet usage has long been labeled a “luxury,” and many users have experienced unexpected data consumption while abroad, resulting in significant losses. In response, China Mobile has, for the first time, set dual caps on both fees and data usage for international and Hong Kong, Macau & Taiwan roaming data tariffs, eliminating users’ fears of incurring “sky-high roaming charges.”
It has been reported that users will be charged 3 yuan, 6 yuan, or 9 yuan per day for the first 3MB of data used locally. Once the 3MB is used up, the data package will automatically renew. After a user renews the package 10 times — i.e., when the total charge reaches 30 yuan, 60 yuan, or 90 yuan — additional data usage for the day will no longer incur extra charges until the total reaches 50MB. For example, in countries like the United States and South Korea where the 3-yuan/3MB package applies, the daily data fee is capped at 30 yuan, with a 50MB data limit and data services suspended, effectively giving users an extra 20MB. Additionally, if users wish to resume data services after suspending them, they can simply reply to a text message to reactivate the data package.
Globalizing Data Services
It is understood that in February and July 2013, China Mobile had already introduced new 1/2/3-yuan zone international roaming tariffs in phases, earning customer trust and receiving positive market feedback. Nowadays, the demand for international roaming internet services is growing stronger, though the 1/2/3-yuan zone only addressed international voice roaming tariffs. With the launch of the new “3/6/9 yuan” data tariffs, China Mobile has finally tackled this “blind spot” in international roaming data pricing.
Experts note that in terms of data service strategy, China Mobile has begun to develop its own distinctive approach. The new “3/6/9” international and Hong Kong, Macau & Taiwan roaming data tariffs have, to some extent, disrupted the globally high pricing of roaming data services. By building on the advantages of the 1/2/3-yuan zone voice tariffs, China Mobile has set an industry benchmark in the international roaming market and taken a major step toward the internationalization of its data services.
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