China Telecom's Fiber Plans

China Telecom plans to triple the number of users for its fiber-optic broadband service this year to reach 30 million. The company further aims to grow the user base to 100 million by the end of China's twelfth Five-Year Plan (2011-2015).

China Telecom plans to cover every city in China with the fiber broadband service in three years and convert all copper lines to fiber, the China Daily reports. Under the Five-Year Plan, the Chinese government will focus on developing the telecommunications infrastructure with total investments reaching CNY 2 trillion. Broadband development would account for 80 percent. The company will follow the government's policies to improve infrastructure and cooperate with local authorities to integrate telecommunications, television, and Internet networks. China Telecom further plans to introduce cloud computing and 'Internet of things' services, more Internet applications for mobile and fixed Internet users, and to accelerate its transformation into a comprehensive telecommunications provider.