China Telecom (Europe), China Telecom’s wholly-owned subsidiary for the EMEA region, is to launch a mobile virtual network (MVN) on Everything Everywhere’s network in the UK. The partnership marks the first time that a Chinese telecom operator has launched MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) services outside China. The partnership, secured via Everything Everywhere’s mobile virtual network aggregator (MVNA) Transatel, takes the company’s portfolio of MVNO partnerships to 24.

Everything Everywhere says that it was selected by China Telecom (Europe), based on the strength of its shared T-Mobile and Orange networks, which it claims offer the widest 3G coverage in the UK, and because of Transatel’s flexible and technologically advanced MVNO platform, which will allow China Telecom (Europe) to launch its service in the UK within months. The service will target Chinese residents and businesses in the UK, as well as visitors to the country, such as students and tourists. 

“Entering the UK mobile market is a strategic move for China Telecom (Europe),” says  the company’s managing director, Yan Ou. “We selected Everything Everywhere based on the strength of its network, and Transatel’s proven track record of getting MVNOs up and running quickly and efficiently.  We are keen to launch the service in the UK as soon as possible, as there is a real gap in the market for the provision of tailored mobile services and competitive tariffs aimed at the growing Chinese population in the UK.”

Everything Everywhere’s other MVNO partners include Virgin, H3G, Ikea, Lycamobile, and Cable and Wireless. MVNOs on Everything Everywhere’s network through Transatel include Axis Telecom, The Phone Co-Op, Shebang, and Natterbox.