Xiaomi introduced its Mobile Virtual Network Operator service (MVNO), Mi Mobile, at a press conference yesterday afternoon.
Mi Mobile will come in two packages: Ren Wo Xing, pay as you go, will be based on the China Unicom network and will feature zero monthly fees. Charges include RMB 0.1 (USD 0.02) per megabyte for data and RMB 0.1 per minute for phone calls.
The Chi Dao Bao package, or eat till you’re full, will be based on the China Telecom network. Charges are set to include RMB 59 (USD 9.3) per month for 3000 megabytes data with no roaming fees throughout mainland China.
Xiaomi attained a MVNO license last November. Alibaba and JD.com, who’re also MVNO license holders, launched their virtual network businesses last summer.
In China MVNOs have independent distribution channels, but their primary services are dependent on the three parent networks of China, China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom as MVNOs don’t own physical telecommunications networks.
It’s reported MVNOs had gained four million users at the end of March.
Consumers will be able to purchase Mi Mobile packages from Xiaomi online from today.
