China Mobile (中国移动) accused of demanding 10,000 yuan pre‑deposit for number transfer; customer service issues response

Allegation sparks online backlash

It has been reported that China Mobile (中国移动) is facing public criticism after customers trying to port their mobile numbers away from the carrier were told they must pre‑deposit 10,000 yuan in prepaid credit before the transfer could proceed. The claim, amplified on social platforms, prompted immediate complaints from users and raised questions about whether the carrier is effectively blocking mobility between networks.

Company response and the fine print

China Mobile’s customer service has reportedly responded that the charge is a security deposit tied to account credit and arrears prevention rather than a blanket fee for number portability, and that the amount can vary depending on the subscriber’s account status and history. The company’s explanation, circulated in customer service chats and quoted online, framed the requirement as an anti‑fraud and credit‑control measure; it has been reported that refunds or adjustments may apply once obligations are settled. Independent verification of individual cases remains limited, and observers say the communication appears uneven across channels.

Policy context and what’s at stake

Number portability is long established in China, where three state‑backed operators — China Mobile (中国移动), China Unicom (中国联通) and China Telecom (中国电信) — compete for subscribers. So why does this matter beyond an individual complaint? Because practices that raise the effective cost of switching can attract regulatory scrutiny from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, which has stepped up oversight of telecom and tech players in recent years for anti‑competitive conduct. If the deposit practice is widespread, regulators may probe whether it violates portability rules and harms consumer choice. For now, users and consumer groups are watching closely.