Virtual Network Operators or VNOs, are growing fast worldwide and are expected to inject more competition into the telecom industry. They provide the same phone and internet services as traditional telecom companies, but instead of owning all the network infrastructure themselves, they lease access from basic operators.
JD Mobile, the telecom department of e-commerce giant JD.com, says it will reward its online shoppers who also use its virtual telecom service with additional voice time and mobile internet usage based on the money they spend on the shopping site.
Other VNOs including Suning and D.Phone started taking pre-orders for new phone numbers on May 1st.
China has the world’s largest telecom market with 1.1 billion mobile phone users.