The company said two weeks ago it had signed up 6.5 million 4G users in the past six months. China Mobile aims to build the world's biggest 4G network by user population, according to top executives.

Also on Friday, China Telecom ordered 62 million contract 3G and 4G smartphones from vendors including Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, ZTE Corp and Lenovo Group Ltd. The carrier also unveiled its 4G service pricing on Friday.

Yang Yuanqing, chief executive of Lenovo, said it is looking to sell 10 million contract smartphones with China Telecom in this year.

China Unicom hasn't yet reacted to the development.

This year, 120 million 4G-enabled smartphones are forecast to be shipped in China, and total smartphone shipments are on track to break 450 million, according to research firm IDC.

Huaweihas eye on 5G	China Mobile eyes 100b devices with 5G network