How much ai revenue is generated from telecom selling?
Based on the available data, there is no precise, single figure for "AI revenue generated from telecom selling" because the carriers have not yet broken out "Token sales" as a standalone line item in their financial reports. However, we can measure the rapid growth of the broader AI and computing services categories that include these token packages.
The table below summarizes the relevant AI-driven revenue reported by each carrier in their latest financial results:
| Carrier | Relevant AI/Computing Revenue (Latest) | Growth Rate | Reported Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| China Mobile | RMB 90.8 billion (from AI services) | +5.3% YoY | Full Year 2025 |
| China Unicom | RMB 15.4 billion (from Computing Power Business) | +8.3% YoY | Q1 2026 |
| China Telecom | Not separately disclosed (included in "Smart Revenue") | +39.4% YoY | Q1 2026 |
📈 Market Trends and Strategic Focus
While the specific revenue from token packages is not yet public, the strategic importance of AI to their business models is unmistakable. The carriers see the sale of AI services as the primary engine for future growth, as traditional communication services face challenges -3-6.
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Revenue Diversification: The pressure to find new revenue streams is real. Carriers are facing headwinds like VAT hikes on core services and slowing growth in traditional telecom -1-3. For instance, China Mobile's combined revenue from computing and AI services already accounted for 20.2% of its principal business revenue in 2025-8.
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Massive Infrastructure Investment: All three carriers are reallocating their capital expenditures (CAPEX) to prioritize AI.
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China Mobile plans to increase its computing network investment by a staggering 62.4% in 2026 -5-8.
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China Unicom will allocate over 35% of its RMB 50.0 billion CAPEX to computing -3.
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China Telecom is increasing investment in its intelligent sector by 26%, with AIDC investment rising 28%-7.
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The Shift to a "Token" Business Model: The carriers are explicitly pivoting to a "Token-first" strategy. China Telecom, for example, has stated it aims to become a leading AI service provider with "Token services as its main business focus" -1-4. This indicates that selling AI access via tokens is seen as a core long-term business, even if its current revenue is embedded in broader categories.
💡 Conclusion: What We Know and Don't Know
To summarize, while you can't yet point to a specific "token revenue" number, the figures above show that China Mobile is generating tens of billions from AI services, and all three carriers are growing these segments rapidly. They are transforming from simple "pipeline" connectivity providers into "platform" AI service providers -4-8.
This means the revenue from the token packages you asked about is included within the reported growth numbers for "AI services," "Computing Power," and "Smart Revenue," and is a key driver of their optimistic forecasts.
Would you like a deeper look into China Mobile's reported AI revenue structure to understand what is included in that RMB 90.8 billion figure?