Chapter 548 - 399: The First Internet Phone Card? Saving the Genius Chip Designer

"President Kang, you mean you agree to cooperate with Senlian Capital? Even if it means losing billions in data traffic revenue a year?"

An executive sitting diagonally opposite him deliberately retorted.

Kang Yiping lifted his eyelids, saying nonchalantly, "You have to give some to get some. The Senlian App has a user base of up to one billion. It can bring younger, higher-quality users to our telecommunications business, and both sides can share the benefits of user growth."

He was the general manager of Huian Telecommunications, Zhao Maolin’s direct superior.

Wherever there are people, there are politics, and balance is crucial.

After all, above him, he was still constrained by the group headquarters.

"Our 3G user growth is currently slowing down. The Senlian App covers navigation, reading, food delivery, ride-hailing, e-commerce, and other industries, and its user stickiness is extremely high. If we don’t agree, our users will be snatched up by Unicom and Mobile!" an executive on the other side said.

He was one of Kang Yiping’s people, so naturally, he had to back his boss.

"The profit margin on data-free cards is extremely low, and we might even lose money. The partnership between Yanjing Telecommunications and Sohu Video is a cautionary tale."

"We’re not a subsidiary of Senlian Capital. Why should we do their heavy lifting?"

There was no shortage of dissenting voices.

Kang Yiping shook his head helplessly, cursing internally, ’These idiots can only see short-term gains. Isn’t Senlian Capital’s data traffic resource also a form of revenue?’

Chen Ting, the Director of the Market Department, thought for a moment before raising her voice. "The Senlian Star Shining Card only offers unlimited data for a select number of apps. Hundreds of other internet products from companies like Penguin, Ah Li, and Qian Du aren’t included.

So, we just need to monetize the data usage outside of the plan. For example, 1 yuan for 500MB, auto-renewed. This way, the user’s actual monthly spending won’t be lower than the base monthly fee.

As for the targeted data, we can also set a 40GB cap. Any usage beyond that will be charged at the standard rate. This prevents users from exploiting the system. That way, we can guarantee a certain level of profitability while also acquiring new users."

The moment she finished speaking, an executive from Kang Yiping’s camp immediately responded, "Cooperation is possible, but we must add restrictions: a two-year contract period, with renegotiation upon expiration."

It seemed like an objection, but it was actually a show of support for Kang Yiping’s decision.

"Anyone else? Any other opinions?"

Kang Yiping’s eyes were like daggers, his gaze sweeping over everyone one by one, sending a chill down their spines.

With the widespread availability of Wi-Fi, if operators don’t lower their prices, users will simply use less mobile data, and a portion of revenue will inevitably be lost to broadband services.

Besides, his proposal was also in line with the thinking of the higher-ups.

The era of the mobile internet is unstoppable. Increasing speed and lowering fees is the prevailing trend. Whoever takes the first step will be the first to seize the opportunity.

It might come with risks, but it could also bring handsome rewards.

But Kang Yiping didn’t see it as a wild gamble.

In his view, as long as he assessed the situation correctly, grasped the decision-making process of those above, and didn’t stray from the general direction, he would inevitably be the one laughing in the end.

The room fell silent. Some wanted to object, but after weighing the situation, they simply kept their mouths shut.

When Kang Yiping had asked for opinions earlier, it was fine to seize the opportunity to object. But now that he was about to finalize the decision, being tactless would be like walking straight into the line of fire.

"Then it’s settled. There are three core points: a 40GB monthly cap on targeted data, with standard rates for overages; a two-year contract period; and 1 yuan for 500MB of data outside the plan."

Kang Yiping said in a low voice.

"President Kang, what would be an appropriate monthly fee for the plan?" Chen Ting asked.

"We’ll modify the existing ’Fei Young’ plan. 19 yuan a month, contents unchanged: still 500MB of nationwide data and 100 minutes of call time," Kang Yiping replied immediately after a moment’s thought.

"Understood, President Kang," Chen Ting replied.

"When Maolin gets back, he’ll be in charge of this project," Kang Yiping added.

「Meanwhile.」

Chen Yansen and Meng Jie had just arrived at the hot spring hotel. It had been over a year since their last trip to Shidu.

The spring day was bright. The silhouette of the distant mountains slowly sank, dyeing the hotel’s glass curtain wall an amber hue.

"Sir, would you like help sending your luggage to your room?" the front desk clerk asked softly after registering their information and handing back their IDs and key card.

"Yes, thank you." Chen Yansen nodded and handed the suitcase to a staff member.

"There’s a milk tea shop at the intersection. What do you want to drink?" Meng Jie asked.

"Lemon tea, I guess." After speaking, Chen Yansen walked outside with Meng Jie.

Xiaoli was about to follow them, but he saw his boss wave his hand dismissively. He immediately understood and obediently went back to his room to soak in the hot springs.

The afternoon breeze was gentle, and the mountain path was spotless.

The hot spring hotel Chen Yansen was staying at was located halfway up the mountain. In the distance, the green fields were like a lush carpet, and a few cherry trees had already begun to bloom, resembling a cluster of pink clouds.

"One lemon tea and one mango green milk tea," Meng Jie said, ordering while taking out her phone to scan a code and pay.

After more than half a year of promotion, Orange Pay’s offline payment function had already achieved a considerably high adoption rate in the East China, Central China, Southern China, and North China regions.

Sending and receiving payments was free, which reduced the risk of accepting counterfeit money. Plus, payments were automatically deposited into Yu’e Bao, earning extra income for the merchants.

No one would refuse a product like that!

"Here, your lemon tea." Meng Jie pulled out a straw, put it in the cup for him, and then handed it to him.

Chen Yansen took the drink, bit down on the straw, and chugged a large mouthful. GLUG, GLUG, GLUG.

The Tea Master at the milk tea shop, stealing a moment of leisure amidst the rush, curiously sized up Chen Yansen and Meng Jie. Usually, it was the guy who bought milk tea for the girl; it was rare to see a girl buying for a guy.

’Are they siblings?’