For the past few days, state-owned enterprises have done a good job in supporting public services for epidemic prevention and control with requirements from State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council. Three major telecom companies, two major power grids, and China Resources Group have made announcements, pledging to maintain mobile phone services, power and gas supply for people with overdue bills during the novel coronavirus control period.

Three major telecommunications enterprises: avoid or delay user downtime, provide online service for people at home

During the epidemic prevention and control period, China Telecom, China Unicom, and China Mobile launched services to help avoid or delay downtime for mobile phone users with overdue bills to ensure communication with frontline medical workers in epidemic prevention and users in virus-stricken areas.

They also actively assisted relevant government departments to send free public welfare text messages related to the epidemic. In total, 1.169 million person-times are free of shutdowns and 1.748 billion person-times have delayed their down times.

China Telecom had provided 477,000 special no-downtime services for key personnel from epidemic prevention and control commands and medical teams in 21 provinces as of February 2. It also launched three free services: a 100-party online conference with unlimited number and duration for national epidemic prevention and related work units; calling business card service to ensure fast connection; and Tianyi Ultra HD, Tianyi Cloud VR, and Tianyi Cloud game products to all users for free. 

China Unicom has waived telephone fees and implemented no-downtime services for 645 Unicom users who are medical staff in Hubei Province. It also launched three convenient services: national off-site and online business processing services to reduce personnel movements; free emergency command dispatched through IPTV set-top boxes to promote the deployment of epidemic prevention work directly into villages and communities, supporting more than 4,500 remote meetings; free IPTV and 5G video viewing activities for households nationwide. 

China Mobile has reduced or waived the communication fee, and provided shutdown-free services for 686,000 medical staff and commanders. It has provided 30,520 emergency support staff, 15,000 customer service staff for hotline services, and 8,214 emergency vehicles nationwide. Various online services including online payment, inquiry services of epidemic information, remote meetings and consultation were also launched for free. 

Two major electric power enterprises: make every effort to ensure safe and reliable use of electricity for people throughout the country

The State Grid Corporation of China and China Southern Power Grid have acted urgently to ensure safe and abundant electricity supply for people. The two major power grid companies have adopted measures such as "no blackout for overdue-bill users" and launched 24 online services across the country.

The State Grid Corporation of China has invested 82,892 power-guarantee staff,  20,103 vehicles, 1,045 emergency power generation vehicles, and 3,334 generators, providing 2,314 designated hospitals, 6,888 fever clinics, and 1,357 prevention and control supplies with electricity. Moreover, about 770,000 users in Hubei Province will not suffer blackouts due to overdue bills. And its online app will provide customers with round-the-clock electricity service to reduce cross-infection outdoors. 

China Southern Power Grid has also implemented real time non-stop power for users related to epidemic prevention. Its 22 online services ensures customers are able to stay home with enough electricity supply. They will extend the deadline for charges and not count them as defaulting on payments until March. 

China Resources Gas: maintain gas supply for people with overdue bills throughout the epidemic control period in Hubei Province

China Resources Gas under the China Resources Group is responsible for the supply of natural gas of 18 cities in virus-stricken Hubei Province. During the epidemic, 17 gas stations remained in operation and 16 business halls were operating normally. It has launched three improved services for epidemic: installed 38 sets of deposit payment equipment for residents to complete payment nearby;  implemented 23-hour duty shifts at gas stations to actively respond to emergency; guaranteed 24-hour supply for hospitals and other public health institutions.

With strong support from these enterprises, China is actively responding to the novel coronavirus outbreak. While providing advanced 5G technology support for the frontline, the country is also ensuring convenient daily services for medical staff as well as people who are affected.