China Telecom has revealed plans to launch mobile services in the UK later this year.

The company, one of the largest telcos in China, will partner with Everything Everywhere, the joint venture between Orange and T-Mobile UK, to offer mobile services to Chinese expats and tourists.

China Telecom will operate as mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) on Everything Everywhere’s infrastructure.

"We are keen to launch the service in the UK as soon as possible as there is a real gap in the market for the  provision of tailored mobile services and competitive tariffs aimed at the growing Chinese population in the UK," said Yan Ou, managing director of China Telecom Europe in a statement.

In a press conference, China Telecom executives said that it may also launch similar offerings in France and Germany.