In a bid to extend its services to China, CTM has partnered with Chinese telecom operator China Mobile Communications Corporation (CMCC) to launch a 4G service to cross-border travellers, the company announced in a press release yesterday – the day of the service launch. The telecom company claims it is offering ‘free mobile data usage’ for subscribers of the plan within Macau, Hong Kong and the mainland, according to its release, stating that coverage is ‘without limitation of boundaries’. However it notes that customers must be ‘latched to CSL’s network in Hong Kong or CMCC’s network in China’. Despite the claims that the data usage is free, the release states that ‘mobile data will be deducted from the usage amount included in the monthly plan’ and, once the limit is exceeded, customers will be charged MOP0.25/MB in any of the three areas. The release claims that calls and SMS within Hong Kong are ‘free’ under the scheme, however the specifics of the deal state that local residents subscribing to the MOP198 monthly package (for those currently without a service contract) will only have access to 3GB of 4G access in the three zones, 1,200 minutes ‘free voice call’, 100 SMS in Hong Kong and Macau, 100 minutes ‘free’ China IDD airtime and 5GB of cloud storage per month. Those under the contracts can update to the service for MOP98/month. The company calls the plan ‘an effective response to customers’ demands for roaming service’, choosing specific wording when stating that: ‘by leveraging its strength and professionalism, CTM is committed to fulfilling its vision of building a Digital Macau.’
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