| China: Phone connection for every household by 2020 |
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| Thursday, 07 October 2004 | |
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According to a report by Xinhua News Agency, the government is making efforts to establish a fund for telecom development. China is expected to connect all households to the telecommunications network, including those in rural areas, by 2020, the Ministry of By July 2004, 90% of Chinese villages had been connected to the network telephones. The level of connections is expected to increase to 95% next year, according to the ministry. The government plans for a telecom development fund are intended to provide basic telecommunications services to all at affordable prices. China has over 295 million fixed line telephone users and over 305 million mobile subscribers. In the first seven months of 2004, 68 million households subscribed to phone service – 33 million fixed and 35 million mobile. However, the ministry said that telecom development is uneven, with coastal areas showing a 77% household fixed penetration rate, while inland regions have only 40% household penetration. Intelecon Research & Consultancy Ltd. 06/10/2004 |