Mei Ri Jing Ji Xin Wen·2026-02-02 16:56Core Viewpoint - The adjustment of the VAT tax category for telecom services will significantly impact the revenues and profits of the three major telecom operators in China starting from January 1, 2026, with an estimated net profit impact exceeding 10 billion yuan [1][4]. Group 1: Tax Adjustment Impact - The Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration announced that the VAT rate for telecom services will increase from 6% to 9% [1]. - Independent telecom analyst estimates that the net profit impact on the three major operators could exceed 10 billion yuan in 2026 [2][4]. - The three major operators (China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom) have not disclosed specific details regarding the extent of the impact on their financial performance [1][2]. Group 2: Market Reaction - Following the announcement, shares of the three major telecom operators experienced declines: China Mobile down 3.86% to 92.66 yuan, China Unicom down 5.48% to 4.83 yuan, and China Telecom down 4.33% to 5.74 yuan [2]. Group 3: Business Revenue Breakdown - The adjustment affects key telecom services including mobile data, SMS, and broadband access, which are crucial to the operators' business [3]. - In 2025, the total telecom business revenue is projected to reach 1.75 trillion yuan, with significant contributions from mobile data and broadband services [3]. Group 4: Future Business Directions - The three operators have outlined their future business strategies focusing on digital intelligence, computing power, and service enhancement [5][6]. - China Telecom aims to implement a comprehensive strategy for cloud and digital transformation, while China Mobile focuses on strengthening communication and intelligent services [5][6]. - China Unicom emphasizes building differentiated advantages in connectivity, computing power, and security [6].