According to a report of Norson Telecom Consulting, China Telecom has launched 100,000 fixed-line payment terminals by the end of 2006, with a customer base of some 500,000. The number of terminals is forecasted to hit 400,000 by 2008 and six million by 2010, and the customer base is expected to reach 120 million by 2010, underpinned by increasing popularization and use of fixed-line payment.

By binding a POS machine to fixed-line telephone, the user could realize credit card payment, balance inquiry, accounts transfer, utilities payment, hotel reserve and other functions at home. This business will diversify the application of fixed-line telephone and add significant values to fixed line business.

In addition, this new business could take the credit advantage of fixed-line telephone, which is registered by real name, to safeguard the on-line payment.

Despite lots of advantage, fixed-line payment is still in its infancy, the content of service is limited and the customer recognition and popularization ratio still stays at a low level, therefore, cooperation between enterprises and telecom carriers should be further enhanced. (Edited by Zhu Zhu, )