Alibaba will begin offering mobile numbers

Alibaba Group said it will start to offer mobile numbers directly as it becomes the latest virtual mobile operator to offer telecommunications services to mobile phone users.

Alibaba allowed Taobao users to book a SIM card number in early May.

China last year issued telecommunications service licenses to 11 private firms, allowing them to offer mobile communications services under their own brands. The government hopes more competition will lead to better service quality.