IN a landmark move that signals the deepening integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into everyday digital infrastructure, Shanghai Telecom has launched the first-of-its-kind “token” tariff packages. Priced at 1 yuan (US$0.14) for 250,000 tokens, the service allows consumers to purchase AI computing power as easily as mobile data, with billing conveniently added to their monthly mobile statement. Tokens are the fundamental units of measurement for large language models (LLMs), representing fragments of words used by AI to process and generate text. Shanghai Telecom’s new service specifically highlights compatibility with Moonshot AI’s Kimi-K2.5 model, offering sufficient capacity for extensive document analysis or creative writing tasks. The service provides both pay-as-you-go options and bulk discounts for heavy users. This development marks a significant shift in how AI services are distributed in China. Traditionally, LLM access has been managed through individual app subscriptions or enterprise-level API keys. By integrating token sales into the telecommunications ecosystem, Shanghai Telecom is effectively treating AI computing as a public utility — no different from water, electricity, or cellular bandwidth. This approach significantly lowers the barrier to entry for developers and casual users who may not want to manage multiple third-party accounts. Shanghai Telecom’s entry into the token market also reflects a strategic “utilitization” of AI. By decoupling AI access from specific software platforms and tethering it to a telecommunications bill, the carrier is helping to standardize AI as a foundational layer of the digital economy. The pricing further underscores a broader trend of aggressive cost reduction within China’s domestic AI sector. Shanghai Telecom’s role as an intermediary suggests that carriers are looking to move beyond being “dumb pipes” for data, instead positioning themselves as essential brokers in the burgeoning “AI Plus” economy envisioned by central policy planners. (SD-Agencies) | 