Rumor: China Mobile to Discontinue Fei Liao
Tencent Tech, 7/05/13
China Mobile (NYSE: CHL; 0941.HK) has sent out an official change of service notice stating that, beginning on July 10, users of the company's mobile IM platform Fei Liao will no longer be able to send or receive messages from users of China Mobile's other mobile IM application, Fetion. Fei Liao users will be able to continue regular IM communication with other Fei Liao users, as well as send free SMS messages to China Mobile numbers, but those who wish to maintain IM contact with Fetion users are encouraged to download the Fetion mobile app.
A source inside China Mobile has stated that since the launch of Fei Liao in September 2011, the mobile IM service has garnered only 3 mln users, and that Fei Liao's product and operations teams have already been disbanded. After July 10, China Mobile will gradually discontinue updates and promotion for Fei Liao.
Editor's Note: According to Sina Tech, China Mobile has denied the shutdown of Fei Liao, stating that the service will continue normal operations, and may even expand abroad. For more background on this topic, please see "Update: China Mobile to Integrate Fetion, Fei Liao" MD 3/25/13 issue.
Keywords: China Mobile wireless Fetion mobile IM SMS CHL 0941.HK Fei Liao mobile application
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