Rumors in local media say the Ministry of Information Industry (MII) has given China Mobile (CHL) the "159" mobile phone prefix for 3G use.

Chinese mobile phone numbers on CDMA and GSM networks have eleven digits, all starting with the "13" prefix. China Mobile holds six number sections, ranging from 134 to 138. China Unicom has four ranging from 130 to 133, and only 1349 has been allocated to China Satcom. According to reports, all the available "13" prefixes have been allocated already.

At the beginning of 2005, MII announced new prefixes of 15 and 18.

Though it has not been confirmed what China Mobile plans to do with the 159 numbers, it is expected they will be used solely for 3G use.