China's 3G subscribers on rapid rise

BEIJING - The number of people subscribing to third-generation (3G) mobile phone services in China leapt 38.25 million in the first five months of 2012, according to new figures.

A statement posted on the website of the Ministry of Industry (MIIT) and Information Technology on Monday showed that China added 54.47 million mobile phone users from January to May.

Main business revenues for China's telecommunication industry jumped 9.7 percent year on year January-May to reach 428.07 billion yuan (67.95 billion U.S. dollars), the MIIT said.

Revenues for mobile communications saw an increase of 12.3 percent year on year to 311.35 billion yuan, accounting for 72.73 percent of the telecommunication industry's main business revenues, it added.