China Telecom to End Third‑Party Online SIM Sales from Aug 1 2026

China Telecom announced that, effective 1 August 2026, SIM cards will no longer be sold through any third‑party internet channels. Customers must use the China Telecom App or the official website (www.189.cn) to order a SIM card.

The policy follows cases where unauthorised sellers falsely claimed "China Telecom authorized cooperation," used fake offers to collect personal identification, address and contact details, and exposed users to privacy risks. The company said the change is intended to protect user rights and secure personal data.