China Broadcasting Corporation, the operator of China Mobile Multimedia Broadcasting service, has published its charging standards for this mobile TV service.
According to CBC, the charges for CMMB mobile TV services are divided into four classes. For uses who order the one-month service, the standard charge is CNY12 and no preferential package is available; for those who order a six-month service, the standard charge is CNY72, no preferential package is available; for those who order a one-year service, the standard charge is CNY144, but they can use the service for CNY120 on a one-off payment; for those who order a three-year service, the standard charge is CNY452 and it is available for CNY300 on a one-off payment.
The new charging standards will be first launched in Tianjin, Shandong, Yunnan, Beijing, Hainan, and Jilin. As the pilot city for the commercial use of CMMB, Shanghai will maintain its current charges, which are CNY20 for one month and CNY200 for one year. By January 1, 2010, the charge standards will be unified across the entire country.
At present, the CMMB service has covered 202 cities in China. CBC has signed framework agreements with 27 provinces and its 15 provincial branches have all put into operation. There are currently over 1,000 types of handheld TV terminals in the Chinese market.