Domestic data-roaming charges to be scrapped, minister says

China will scrap domestic data-roaming charges this year, as the country steps up efforts to offer more affordable telecom services, said Miao Wei, minister of industry and information technology.

"We will also lower the costs of mobile data packages by 30 percent by the end of this year," Miao said on Monday on the sidelines of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress.

The move is part of China's broader push to implement faster internet connectivity and improve services for companies to help boost industrial upgrading and nurture new economic drivers.

"The cost for broadband services at home and companies will also be lowered," Miao added.