Mobile phone users in Beijing have given a mixed response to news that charges will be cut.

Regulators announced on Monday they were giving the greenlight to telecom operators who want to reduce costs of calls.

The long-awaited lower charges are expected to take effect from tomorrow.

The changes will apply to several package options.

But Ge Jun, a middle-aged engineer in Beijing, said she found the different price plans overwhelming.

"Different promotions make me feel giddy," she said.

"I hope a more detailed and practical method concerning the specific price of calls will be introduced, but not in the form of certain packages."

Four varieties of packages have been designed to meet the diversified needs of subscribers to China Mobile's Shenzhouxing and GoTone services.

They include 80 yuan (US$10), 108 yuan (US$13.5), 168 yuan (US$21) and 220 yuan (US$27.5) per month deals, which enable users to enjoy 200, 360, 700 and 1,100 minutes of local calls respectively.

Current subscribers to the GoTone service in Beijing have to pay 50 yuan (US$6.25) per month in subscription fees and 0.4 yuan (5 US cents) per minute for both receiving and making local calls.

"The move is the first of its kind and the most attractive special offer designed by our company," said Fan Yunjun, deputy manager of Beijing Mobile Communication Company, China Mobile's branch in Beijing.

Qiu Baochang, a lawyer working for the protection of consumer rights, said: "The new fee method is warmly welcomed, but it comes so late and could be better."

People in Beijing have been calling for changes to monthly subscription fees and charges, but got no positive response.

Relevant departments decided to investigate after research revealed that Beijing lagged behind many cities in adopting reasonable price policies, said Qiu.

In Guangzhou, one service allows mobile users to receive calls for free.

Packages in Shanghai are available for 60 yuan (US$7.5) per month for 360 minutes of local calls, and 120 yuan (US$15) for 800 minutes.

"Consumers, mobile companies, pricing authorities and experts should all be consulted before new methods are drawn up," Qiu said.

Wang Anxin, a Beijing lawyer, told China Daily that lowering mobile charges was a global tendency and that Beijing had to follow it.

He added high charges were caused by a monopoly situation, with just a few big telecommunication companies making up the industry.

Wang said he believed operators would still make big profits, despite the price changes.

(China Daily May 10, 2006)