China Telecom, RIM start BlackBerry services in China

BEIJING May 17 (Reuters) - China Telecom (0728.HK), the smallest of China's telecom trio, will offer BlackBerry services to corporate clients later this month in an attempt to catch up in smartphone market.

China Telecom will introduce Research in Motion's (RIM.TO) (RIMM.O) BlackBerry handsets running on its EVDO 3G network in 16 Chinese provinces, the companies said on Monday.

RIM is already in partnership with China Mobile (0941.HK), the world's largest mobile carrier by subscribers, in providing BlackBerry services in China, with services starting at 398 yuan (about $58) per month.

China Telecom did not give details about its packages

China Unicom (0762.HK), the country's No. 2 mobile carrier, has been selling Apple Inc's (AAPL.O) iPhone in China.

China Telecom entered the mobile business last year after receiving a license to operate mobile service following a broader government-orchestrated restructuring of China's telecoms sector. It has aggressively promoted its wireless service since then, doubling its subscriber base to more than 56 million in its first year.

The company said in March it will spend more than 10 billion yuan ($1.47 billion) on handset subsidies this year, versus 10.1 billion yuan in 2009. [ID:nHKV002293] ($1=6.826 Yuan) (Reporting by Michael Wei and Ken Wills)