Gov't: No new mobile, internet accounts in August

The government has prohibited telecom operators from adding new mobile and fixed-line subscribers in August in order to ensure stability for China’s telecom networks for the Olympics, AP reported. The moratorium will mean a pause in the rapid growth of China’s mobile subscriber base, which recently reached 592 million people and adds 9 million new subscribers each month. A spokesperson for internet provider China Netcom said the company would not install new equipment from August 1 to August 25, though it might add new accounts that do not require additional wiring. China’s telecom industry is in the midst of a restructuring process that will consolidate six operators into three full service carriers offering both wireless and fixed-line services.