China Telecom, one of China’s leading telecommunications firm, on Friday announced it has entered into a contract with Microsoft that will see the telecommunications firm exclusively selling Microsoft’s Xbox One gaming console in China starting in September.
China Telecom spokesman Ivan Wong told Reuters that the company is yet to decide on the launch date and pricing options for the gaming console.
The Chinese government had earlier imposed a ban on sale of gaming consoles in the country in 2000 citing games’ adverse effects on mental health. The ban however was pulled back last year.
Read Also: China lifts 13 year console ban making way for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Wii U, and others
Microsoft had last year entered into a joint venture with China-based internet TV set-top box maker BesTV New Media Co Ltd to manufacture the consoles in Shanghai’s Free Trade Zone.
The software giant in a statement said China Telecom will make Xbox One available for purchase in the country as part of its broadband Internet data plan packages. With Xbox One’s September launch, the China Telecom consumer offer will be made available to the general public for purchase at retail and online.
Read Also: Sony’s PlayStation 4 to land in China
The Xbox One, launched in November, is still behind Sony Corp’s Playstation 4 console, which was released around the same time, in terms of sales.
The console is currently available in two versions in the U.S. and other markets, one without a Kinect for $399 and the other with Kinect for $499.
Read Also: Kinect-less Xbox One hits UK shelves for £350
More details on the Xbox One launch are expected to be revealed by Microsoft in its ChinaJoy conference scheduled for next week.
