Regulator cracks whip on telecom service providers

Ministry asks firms to cut overseas roaming rates, roll over unused data for customers

China's "Big Three" telecom carriers' have been asked to make further reductions in overseas roaming rates and allow users to carry forward unused monthly data allowance, in the latest efforts by the government to regulate the sector.

The Ministry and Industry and Information Technology, also the industry regulator, said on Wednesday that the new directive follows public complaints that despite the high fees charged by the carriers, the speed and quality of the provided services remain poor.