Bernstein: China Mobile to reap rewards from early push into 4G

China Mobile, the world's largest wireless network operator by subscribers, "is set to become a cash machine" this year with its "superior financial performance" as it enters the final phase of its three-year, 4G infrastructure roll-out across the country, according to a telecoms industry forecast published by Bernstein. Analysts estimate that China Mobile will record a 16% increase in year-on-year net profit for the 12 months to December this year, driven by its 4G subscriber and data usage growth. China Mobile was the first mainland operator to push 4G services from December 2013, and the company's Chairman, Shang Bing, is targeting an "achievable" 500 million 4G subscribers by year end. Meanwhile, China Mobile's rivals, including China Telecom and China Unicom, are still playing catch-up as they target affluent cities to try to close the gap.  

Some analysts expect China Mobile will record a 16 per cent increase in year-on-year net profit for the 12 months to December as it nears the end of its three-year, 4G-led turnaround.Photo: Reuters