Chinese mobile phone users show logos of (from left) China Unicom, China Mobile and China Telecom on their smartphones in Shaoyang city, Central China's Hunan province, March 19 2015. [Photo/IC]

"China Telecom and China Unicom have already accumulated rich experience in the field of broadband operation and its network coverage is sufficient with an advantage in 4G layout, which leaves limited space for CBN."

In contrast, CBN has a shortage in the network quality, operation, coverage and access, and lacks related talent in mobile internet operation. But granting CBN license to carry out telecom business will undoubtedly speed up the three-network convergence, Liu said.

China Mobile, the nation's largest telecom carrier, reported an increase in profit. Operating revenue increased 8.7 percent to 177.5 billion yuan in the first quarter, according to a statement issued by the company. China Unicom, meanwhile, witnessed a dramatic decline during the first quarter. In the first three months, its revenue was 70.3 billion yuan, down by 5.3 percent year-on-year.