China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom have rolled out nationwide eSIM services, marking a significant step in China’s shift to digital connectivity.
China’s three major telecom operators — China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom — have received approval from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to launch commercial eSIM services nationwide. This marks a key step in China’s shift toward digital connectivity.
eSIM, short for embedded SIM, replaces the traditional physical SIM card with a chip built directly into the device. Users no longer need to insert or swap cards when changing numbers or networks.
China Telecom has officially launched eSIM phone services nationwide. Customers can activate eSIM at local service centres or make an appointment online before visiting a store. China Unicom has also opened its eSIM reservation channel, while China Mobile announced a full product lineup supporting eSIM. Its services will cover not only smartphones but also smartwatches, tablets, and in-car devices, enabling seamless connections across multiple platforms.
The nationwide rollout comes shortly after Apple’s launch of the iPhone Air, an eSIM-only smartphone introduced in September. Apple announced that the iPhone Air will open for pre-orders in China on October 17 and go on sale on October 22.
With more than one billion mobile users, China’s adoption of eSIM is expected to speed up the global move toward card-free, flexible mobile connectivity. The shift could also boost innovation in smart devices and the Internet of Things, bringing China in line with international trends.
Additional reporting by HKCNA.
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