China Telecom Mulls Entry Into US Telecoms Market 161
hackingbear excerpts from a story at Engadget: "Instead of resting on its laurels as China's third-largest wireless provider, China Telecom is now looking to branch out into relatively uncharted waters — namely, the U.S. consumer market. ... The proposed service would provide customers with handsets that could be used in both China and the U.S., theoretically appealing to Chinese-Americans, students or businessmen who travel frequently between the two countries ... and would even consider purchasing or constructing its own network in the States,' with the 'capacity to spend 'hundreds of millions or billions' on stateside acquisitions.' At its home turf, despite being a state-owned company, China Telecom, along with China Unicom, is being investigated over alleged monopolistic practices by the Chinese government. The two companies would face penalties of up to 10 percent of their annual business revenues if they were found guilty of monopolistic practices. This is the first such investigation into China's large enterprises since the Anti-Monopoly Law came into effect in 2008."
Re:Thanks, but no thanks (Score:5, Interesting)
I don't trust any telecomminucations company to be honest- but I see no reason why to distrust China Telecom more.
They'd have to be crazy to try to censor Americans in America on American [Chinese made] phones. They would lose customers pretty quick.
When In Rome...
I wouldn't be the first to switch- I'd have to see their costs and quality first. There again, I'm not an early-adopter of anything.
Please, please, please do this!!! (Score:3, Interesting)
When this happens, I'm there. I'll be their first customer.
This looks to the future where China manages all US infrastructure. Where will it end? One can only imagine.
Chinese management and control of the power grid? Water/sewer? National highway repair? Health care?
For all the bad things people will point out, the sum total is that people will get much better services for the money. The Chinese motivation for doing things in an expert, professional manner will more than compensate for the loss of government control.
Your trade is for a government which grants a lot of freedoms, and a government which curtails some of your freedoms (but generally leaving you alone) in a world where all the services run perfectly. And the freedoms granted in the first case seem to be evaporating in any event.
The Chinese couldn't be *that* much worse than the US, and for good infrastructure I'm willing to take the chance.
Re:Thanks, but no thanks (Score:5, Interesting)
So I should be concerned that China telecom might somehow be messin' with my service, but it's tolerable to KNOW that the NSA, CIA, FBI, and my local police can listen in without warrant or my knowledge?
Frankly, China Telecom will fit right into the U.S. market. Let's see:
- Accused of monopolistic practices: check!
- Suspected of or confirmed to be cooperating with government in suppressing free speech, eavesdropping, etc: check!
- Operates GSM network: check!
Well, looks like AT&T might find a buyer for the TMO assets they don't need.
I think CT nails it. GAME OVER!