China Telecom started 2021 with double-digit gains in profit and revenue, adding 24.7 million 5G subscribers in Q1 to take the share of these users to 31.2 per cent of its total mobile customer base. Net profit increased 10.6 per cent year-on-year to CNY6.4 billion (US$993.3 million) despite a spike in network expenses and costs related to handset distribution. Operating revenue grew 12.7 per cent to CNY106.9 billion, with mobile service rising 8.1 per cent to CNY48.4 billion. The operator ended March with 111.2 million 5G package subscribers, a net...