Fringe telecom players entering the fray

Mobile virtual network operators are expected to inject new life into China's telecoms industry rather than simply drive down service charges in the country, insiders and analysts said.

Since the beginning of May, many of China's more than 19 licensed mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), which are allowed to run basic telecom businesses by renting infrastructure from telecom operators, have launched their own services.

JD Mobile, the telecom department of JD.com Inc, one of China's leading e-commerce companies, said on Thursday that it will start selling mobile phone numbers beginning with "170" - a signature number for MVNOs - on Saturday.