China’s telecom operators are introducing mobile billing plans that use “AI tokens” as a unit of measurement for artificial-intelligence usage, rather than charging only by cellular data volume. Reporting from South China Morning Post and Digital Trends says China Telecom has unveiled nationwide token-based pricing packages available through its mobile app. The packages are described as targeting multiple customer groups, including everyday consumers as well as developers and businesses. Subscription tiers reportedly vary by intended usage, with consumer plans starting at 9.9 yuan, according to details listed in the operator’s app. The move reflects a shift in how telcos may charge for AI-related services, treating AI consumption in a manner similar to how gigabytes have historically been billed for data. While the outlets characterize the development as pointing to a potentially unfamiliar future for telecom services, both reports frame the change primarily as a new monetisation and pricing mechanism rather than a replacement of existing telecom infrastructure. The “AI token” concept therefore functions as a new billing metric tied to AI use within specific plans offered by the carrier.