China Mobile Forced to Pull Out from Canada

BEIJING, December 30 (TMTPOST) — CMI (China Mobile International Canada)’s subsidiary CMLink announced on Tuesday that it will cease operation in Canada as of January 5, 2022, as required by the federal government in the country.

China Mobile had to pull out from Canada due to the local administration’s fears over national security. Canadian media outlet National Post reported earlier in December that China Mobile lost a court bid for a temporary hold on the federal government’s order that its Canadian affiliate be divested or wound up over national security concerns.

Image Source: China Mobile International

The federal authorities of Canada informed CMI Canada earlier In January that an assessment of its operations, prompted by safety issues, would take place, reports said.

The authorities then issued an order in August directing CMI Canada’s parent company China Mobile to wind up or divest the Canadian enterprise within 90 days.

CMLink has pledged to help its users to transfer to other operators retaining their current number before March 31. Users of CMLink’s telecom services can also ask for a refund accordingly.

"The balance in your CMLink account can be refunded from December 28, 2021. The refund amount is subject to the account balance on the day of application submission," said CMLink in the announcement.

CMLink’s services are praised among Chinese communities in Canada, according to news reports from local Chinese-language media. CMLink offers one-card-multiple-number plans to users, which allow users to have numbers for usage in both Canada and China. Users who frequently travel between China and Canada find such services very convenient.

After China Mobile suspends operation in Canada, some CMLink users might turn to China Telecom’s CTExcel service in the country. However, CTExcel also faces similar challenges from the Canadian government that CMLink had dealt with.

Founded in 2015, CMLink provides mobile communication services in Canada but does not own or operate any telecom network facilities in the country. CMLink provides communication services in Canada through its local partner Telus Communications’ Telus network.

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