China's Ministry of Information Industry has released a list of 50 problematic mobile value-added service providers on its official website and asked telecom operators to severely punish these companies by the end of this month.

The 50 companies are reportedly involved in such illegal activities as spreading false advertising via SMS, luring consumers to subscribe their wireless services, and using non-standard pricing for value-added mobile services.

MII says it began an investogation into all the companies' services in December 2006. So far, it has itself conducted the spot check on companies in eight regions: Guangdong, Fujian, Hunan, Shaanxi, Chongqing, Heilongjiang, Henan and Zhejiang, and entrusted the local communications management departments of the remaining municipalities and provinces to complete the investigations in their own region.

Thought the exact type of punishment has not been released, it should involve a fine and either suspension or revocation of the companies' business or MVAS licenses.