China Mobile aims for faster growth Carrier completes US$4.1b asset acquisition from its parent, widening its reach to 31 provinces with 166m subscribers.

(From South China Morning Post)

Byline: Ben Kwok and Sophie Taylor

China Mobile hopes to accelerate earnings growth this year after acquiring the last remaining networks of its parent in a deal worth US$4.11 billion.

The mainland's largest mobile-phone carrier yesterday said it would pay US$3.65 billion in exchange for 10 provincial networks and assume up to $469 million in debt.

The proposed transaction would give China Mobile an additional 24.5 million subscribers, bringing its total to 166 million and giving it a presence in 31 provinces.

But the absence of fresh acquisition targets could weigh on the company, as the mobile …