The Chinese government has instructed the nation's operators to lower broadband prices by 30% by the end of the year, as part of efforts to grow the digital economy.
China Dailycites Zhang Feng, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, as stating that the big three operators have been told to improve access prices.
The internet is becoming a basic supply for China's startup scene, Feng said. But the cost of access must be reduced if the startup sector is to meet its full potential in terms of benefiting the economy.
The central government is making a concerted push to reduce internet tariffs and improve speeds across the nation. Zhang reiterated that China will spend 435 billion yuan ($70.06 billion) this year to augment the nation's internet infrastructure, an increase of 10% year-over-year.
The nation has committed to investing more than 1.1 trillion won over the next three years to enhance China's fixed broadband and 4G networks.
By the end of the year, the MIIT is targeting covering more than 80% of urban residents with 100Mbps broadband services and rolling out 1.3 million 4G base stations in rural areas.