China mobile giants pivot to AI tokens as data model weakens

The telecom firms are exploring AI metering as connectivity revenue shifts.

Chinese mobile network operators (MNOs), China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom, are introducing universal artificial intelligence (AI) token plans as they seek new revenue streams beyond traditional connectivity services, according to GlobalData.

The model shifts billing from mobile data quotas to AI usage credits, or tokens, used to access large language models and agent-based AI applications.

GlobalData cited data from China’s National Bureau of Statistics showing AI token usage has surged over the past two years to around 140 trillion tokens per day in March 2026, driven by widespread adoption of large language models and agentic AI systems.

“Agentic AI, with its multi-task workflows, requires significantly more tokens per output compared to standard generative AI use cases, and is largely responsible for this token usage spike across markets,” said Emma Mohr-McClune, Chief Analyst for Telecoms at GlobalData.

Mohr-McClune added that whist industry participants have speculated that AI token plans could eventually replace mobile data quotas, it is too early to confirm such a shift.

She said Chinese MNOs are positioning themselves as brokers and billing intermediaries for universal AI token usage.