China Mobile Reports Q1 2026 Results with Steady User Growth and Diversified Revenue

China Mobile, the leading Chinese telecommunications operator, released its financial results for the first quarter of 2026 on April 20. The company posted a total operating revenue of RMB 266.5 billion, representing a 1% year-on-year increase, as it continues to balance core business stability with emerging service expansion.

According to the official filing, core operating revenue stood at RMB 219.9 billion, a slight 1.1% year-on-year decline, while other business revenue surged by 12.7% to RMB 46.6 billion, highlighting the rapid growth of non-traditional services. EBITDA amounted to RMB 76.7 billion, down 5% year on year, with an EBITDA margin of 28.8%. Profit before tax reached RMB 37.6 billion, a 4.4% year-on-year decrease, while profit attributable to shareholders was RMB 29.3 billion, down 4.2% year on year.

User growth remained robust across all segments during the quarter. China Mobile’s mobile subscriber base reached 1.009 billion, with a net addition of 3.76 million users. Its broadband customer base grew to 333 million, gaining 3.9 million new subscribers. The Internet of Things (IoT) connection count hit 1.504 billion, marking a substantial net increase of 22.33 million, reflecting strong momentum in industrial digitalization.

Industry analysts note that the decline in core telecom revenue reflects intensifying competition and maturing market saturation in traditional voice and data services. Meanwhile, the double-digit growth in other business revenue underscores China Mobile’s strategic shift toward diversified services, including cloud computing, smart services, and digital solutions.

As part of its long-term strategy, China Mobile has been actively developing three core business pillars: communications services, computing power services, and intelligent services. The company aims to achieve steady growth in communications revenue during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, while targeting a doubling of revenue from computing power and intelligent services by the end of the period.

The Q1 2026 results demonstrate China Mobile’s resilience amid industry-wide challenges. The company’s large and stable user base provides a solid foundation for future growth, while its investments in emerging technologies position it well to capitalize on new opportunities in the digital economy.

Moving forward, China Mobile will continue to focus on improving quality and efficiency, enhancing core competitiveness, and promoting technological innovation. The company remains committed to advancing toward its vision of becoming a world-class technology services enterprise, creating sustained value for shareholders and customers alike.