Telecom sector set to open up

Foreign companies will be allowed to operate virtual networks in China, according to a draft rule announced on Wednesday, as the country steps up its push to inject new vitality into the multibillion-dollar telecom industry currently dominated by three State-owned enterprises.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said in a statement on its official website that foreign companies, private enterprises and State-owned companies will all be able to apply to run such networks - telecom services that piggyback on the infrastructure of China's big three carriers: China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom.

"China will officially launch virtual network services, and we welcome foreign companies to join the industry," the ministry said, adding there is no limit on the number of applicants.