Core Points - The three major telecom operators in China (China Unicom, China Mobile, China Telecom) have received approval to conduct commercial trials for eSIM mobile services [5] - Apple announced that the iPhone Air model A3518, which supports eSIM, will be available for sale in mainland China starting October 22 [5][18] Group 1: eSIM Overview - eSIM is a digital SIM card that allows users to activate a cellular plan without needing a physical nano-SIM card [7] - Users can have their original physical SIM card number embedded into the eSIM, eliminating the need for a physical card [7] Group 2: Activation Process - To activate eSIM on the iPhone Air, users must visit the telecom operator's physical store, as Apple stores do not handle eSIM activation [9] - Once the original physical SIM card number is written into the eSIM, the original SIM card will no longer be usable unless a new number is written in [9] Group 3: Service Availability - Users can activate eSIM services by visiting the stores with their ID and a compatible device, with no prior online appointment needed [13] - China Mobile will start processing eSIM activations on October 22, while China Unicom requires online appointments, with over 180,000 reservations already made [14] Group 4: Pricing Structure - Currently, there is no clear pricing standard for eSIM services, but activation is reported to be free at the moment [16] - China Unicom offers two types of eSIM services: a dual-device plan for 10 yuan per month and an independent virtual number plan for 20 yuan per month, which includes 100 minutes of calls and 2GB of data [16] Group 5: Supported Devices - The iPhone Air model A3518 is the only model confirmed to support eSIM in the Chinese market [18] - Other devices supported by eSIM include smartwatches, tablets, and in-car devices, with China Mobile providing a comprehensive range of eSIM products [19]

Core Viewpoint - The three major telecom operators in China have launched eSIM mobile services, marking a significant shift from traditional SIM cards to a more versatile eSIM model, enhancing user experience across various devices and scenarios [1][2][3]. Group 1: Telecom Operators' Initiatives - China Mobile has introduced a comprehensive eSIM product line that includes not only mobile phones but also smartwatches, tablets, and in-car devices, promoting seamless connectivity and collaboration across devices [1]. - China Telecom's announcement highlights the transition from physical SIM cards to a "lightweight, multi-modal" eSIM model, aiming to enhance mobile communication services [1][2]. - China Unicom has received approval to conduct commercial trials for eSIM mobile services, which is expected to drive innovation in digital economy and terminal connectivity [2]. Group 2: User Engagement and Market Response - There is a strong user interest in eSIM mobile services, with over 170,000 reservations reported for China Unicom's eSIM mobile service as of the latest update [2]. - The eSIM mobile service offers functionalities equivalent to traditional SIM cards, allowing users to access voice communication, data services, and SMS [2]. Group 3: Future Developments - More eSIM-compatible mobile phones are expected to be launched soon, with China Mobile planning to collaborate with industry partners to introduce devices that support both traditional SIM and eSIM [3]. - Currently, the eSIM mobile service is only available for the iPhone Air (Chinese version), which will be available for pre-order on October 17 and officially released on October 22 [2].

Core Viewpoint - The three major telecom operators in China, China Telecom, China Mobile, and China Unicom, have received approval from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to officially launch eSIM mobile services nationwide, marking a significant advancement in mobile connectivity technology [1]. Group 1: eSIM Service Launch - China Telecom has announced that eSIM mobile services are now officially available for sale across the country, allowing consumers to activate eSIM services either in-store or through an app for online appointments [1]. - China Mobile will provide comprehensive support for eSIM products, extending beyond mobile phones to include smartwatches, tablets, and in-car devices, facilitating seamless connectivity across multiple devices and scenarios [1]. Group 2: eSIM Technology Overview - eSIM technology integrates the functionality of a physical SIM card into a built-in chip within the phone, enabling users to download their phone number over the air without the need for a physical SIM card [1]. - eSIM-enabled phones offer the same functionalities as traditional SIM card phones, including voice communication, data access, and SMS services [1].

Core Viewpoint - The communication services sector experienced a slight increase of 0.04% on October 15, with Pingzhi Information leading the gains. The Shanghai Composite Index closed at 3912.21, up 1.22%, while the Shenzhen Component Index closed at 13118.75, up 1.73% [1]. Group 1: Stock Performance - Pingzhi Information (300571) closed at 34.65, with a rise of 6.26% and a trading volume of 68,700 shares, amounting to a transaction value of 231 million yuan [1]. - Chaoxun Communication (603322) closed at 53.13, increasing by 6.09% with a trading volume of 180,200 shares [1]. - Zhongjia Bochuang (000889) closed at 4.00, up 4.17% with a trading volume of 649,400 shares [1]. - ST Yitong (300211) closed at 9.68, rising by 2.87% with a trading volume of 38,500 shares [1]. - Sanwei Communication (002115) closed at 11.92, increasing by 2.58% with a trading volume of 1,730,800 shares [1]. - Data Port (603881) closed at 33.81, up 2.33% with a trading volume of 276,700 shares [1]. - Hengxin Dongfang (300081) closed at 4.91, rising by 2.29% with a trading volume of 152,900 shares [1]. - Fengzhushou (301382) closed at 66.63, increasing by 2.07% with a trading volume of 48,400 shares [1]. - Beiwai Technology (002148) closed at 9.44, up 1.94% with a trading volume of 169,300 shares [1]. - Aofei Data (300738) closed at 20.08, rising by 1.88% with a trading volume of 343,000 shares [1]. Group 2: Fund Flow Analysis - The communication services sector saw a net outflow of 193 million yuan from institutional investors, while retail investors experienced a net inflow of 169 million yuan [2]. - Major stocks like Sanwei Communication (002115) had a net inflow of 67.31 million yuan from institutional investors, but a net outflow of 65.19 million yuan from retail investors [3]. - Aofei Data (300738) recorded a net inflow of 46.89 million yuan from institutional investors, with a net outflow of 30.64 million yuan from retail investors [3]. - Pingzhi Information (300571) had a net inflow of 22.63 million yuan from institutional investors, but a net outflow of 23.81 million yuan from retail investors [3].

Core Viewpoint - China Unicom is actively engaging in the integration of blockchain technology with IoT, aiming to enhance trust, security, and operational efficiency in its services [2]. Financial Performance - In 2024, China Unicom reported a revenue of RMB 200.2 billion, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 1.45%, with a net profit of RMB 6.349 billion, up 5.12% [9]. - The company achieved a significant increase in revenue from its cloud services, reaching RMB 26.87 billion, a 142% increase year-on-year, while IDC revenue grew by 12.9% to RMB 18.61 billion [3]. Strategic Initiatives - China Unicom is collaborating with Alibaba, ZTE, and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to develop an IoT blockchain framework, which is expected to lower costs and improve operational speed [2]. - The company is focusing on digital transformation by leveraging data services, with over 50% market share in the data service sector for five consecutive years [2]. Product Development - The launch of the "Smart Home" service under the "Smart Wo Family" initiative aims to provide comprehensive communication solutions for households, enhancing service integration [4]. - The company is expanding its 5G services, with a notable increase in the number of customers using 5G virtual private networks, reaching 2,785 [3]. Market Position - As of June 30, 2025, China Unicom had 556,900 shareholders, with a slight decrease of 6.02% from the previous period [9]. - The company has a diversified revenue structure, with broadband and mobile data services accounting for 38.49% and data and other internet applications for 27.48% of total revenue [8].

Core Viewpoint - Morgan Stanley's research report indicates that Chinese telecom companies are expected to have a lackluster performance in Q3, with only a slight year-on-year increase in industry service revenue, reflecting a slowdown compared to Q2 due to potential US-China tariff impacts [1] Industry Summary - The overall performance of Chinese telecom companies in Q3 is projected to be mediocre, with service revenue growth slowing down compared to the previous quarter [1] - The outlook for Q4 appears uncertain, as traditional business segments continue to face deflationary pressures and weak macroeconomic conditions [1] - AI-related business has not yet significantly contributed to new growth momentum within the industry [1] Company Summary - China Mobile's target price remains at HKD 90, maintaining an "Overweight" rating [1] - China Telecom's target price has been lowered from HKD 6.5 to HKD 6, while still holding an "Overweight" rating [1] - China Unicom's target price is maintained at HKD 9.5, with an "Overweight" rating [1] - China Tower's target price remains at HKD 12, also with an "Overweight" rating [1]

Core Insights - The China Central Enterprise Innovation Driven Index increased by 0.18% as of October 15, 2025, with notable stock performances from China Nuclear Engineering (up 8.36%) and Southern Power Technology (up 5.51%) [3] - The Central Enterprise Innovation Driven ETF (515900) rose by 0.25%, with a latest price of 1.59 yuan, and a cumulative increase of 1.66% over the past week [3] - China Unicom has officially received approval to conduct commercial trials for eSIM mobile services [3] - The Ministry of Transport has implemented special port fees for American vessels as a countermeasure to unilateral trade actions by the U.S., aimed at protecting China's shipping industry [3] Market Performance - The Central Enterprise Innovation Driven ETF saw a turnover of 0.36% during trading, with a transaction volume of 12.73 million yuan [3] - Over the past year, the ETF has an average daily transaction volume of 20.67 million yuan, ranking first among comparable funds [3] - The ETF's scale increased by 27.31 million yuan over the past month, placing it in the top quarter of comparable funds [4] Index Composition - The Central Enterprise Innovation Driven Index evaluates the innovation and profitability quality of state-owned enterprises, selecting 100 representative listed companies [4] - As of September 30, 2025, the top ten weighted stocks in the index accounted for 36.04% of the total, including China Shipbuilding, Hikvision, and China United Network Communications [4]

Core Points - The three major telecom operators in China (China Unicom, China Mobile, China Telecom) have received approval to conduct commercial trials for eSIM mobile services, with Apple announcing the release of iPhone Air (which includes eSIM) starting October 22 [1][2] Group 1: What is eSIM? - eSIM is a digital SIM card that allows users to activate a cellular plan without needing a physical nano-SIM card, enabling a more convenient user experience [2] Group 2: Activation of eSIM - To activate eSIM on iPhone Air, users must visit the telecom operator's physical store, as Apple stores do not handle eSIM activation [3] Group 3: How to Apply for eSIM Services - Users can apply for eSIM services by visiting the telecom operator's store with their ID and a compatible device, with no prior online appointment needed [4] - China Mobile will officially start processing eSIM applications on October 22, coinciding with the iPhone Air's release [4] - China Unicom has over 180,000 online reservations for eSIM services as of the report [4] Group 4: eSIM Service Charges - Currently, there are no clear regulations on eSIM service fees, but initial applications for eSIM services are reported to be free [5] - China Unicom offers two types of eSIM services: a dual-device plan for 10 yuan per month and an independent eSIM plan for 20 yuan per month, which includes 100 minutes of calls and 2GB of data [5] Group 5: Supported Devices for eSIM - The iPhone Air model A3518 supports eSIM, and only the domestic version of this model can activate eSIM services [7] - China Mobile supports a wide range of devices for eSIM, including smartwatches and tablets, while China Unicom has adapted 75 different devices for eSIM since 2015 [7]

Core Viewpoint - The three major telecom operators in China, China Telecom, China Mobile, and China Unicom, have officially launched eSIM mobile services nationwide after receiving approval from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology [1] Group 1: Service Launch - China Telecom has announced that eSIM mobile services are now available for consumers, who can activate the service either in-store or through an app for online reservations [1] - China Mobile will provide a full range of eSIM product support, extending beyond mobile phones to include smartwatches, tablets, and in-car devices, enabling seamless connectivity across multiple devices and scenarios [1] Group 2: Technology Overview - eSIM technology integrates the functionality of a physical SIM card into a built-in chip within the phone, allowing users to download their phone number over the air without needing a physical SIM card [1] - eSIM-enabled phones offer the same communication services as traditional SIM card phones, including voice calls, data access, and SMS [1]

Core Viewpoint - The recent approval for eSIM mobile services by China's three major telecom operators marks a significant step towards the commercialization of eSIM technology in the mobile sector, following its prior applications in IoT and smart wearable devices [4][7]. Group 1: eSIM Technology Overview - eSIM technology replaces physical SIM cards with a virtual electronic card, allowing users to activate mobile services without inserting a physical card [2]. - The absence of a physical card slot enables thinner devices and provides more internal space for expansion [2]. Group 2: Commercial Launch and Support - China Unicom, China Mobile, and China Telecom have officially received approval to conduct eSIM mobile service trials [7]. - China Unicom has adapted 75 terminal devices, including smartphones and smartwatches, serving millions of users [8]. - China Mobile plans to offer a comprehensive range of eSIM products, extending beyond smartphones to include smartwatches, tablets, and in-car devices [9]. - China Telecom has confirmed the official launch of eSIM mobile services across 31 provinces and regions in China [10]. Group 3: Service Activation - During the trial period, eSIM services will not be available for online activation; users must visit physical stores to activate their services [5][11]. Group 4: Supported Devices - Supported eSIM devices include models from Apple, Huawei, and OPPO, which will be available for sale soon [14].