Tech in Asia reported on 9 November 2026 that China Mobile, a state-owned phone company, signed a cooperation deal with Zhipu, also called Z.ai. Zhipu is an AI startup based in Beijing. The deal covers computing power inside China, large AI model services and the sale of AI products. Zhipu's GLM models will be linked to Mobile Cloud, China Mobile's platform that offers AI models as a service. Tech in Asia says the plan spans the full chain, from computing supply to model services to sales.
Tech in Asia did not give a start date, a price or any financial terms. It did not say which GLM models will be offered. It also did not say how many customers use Mobile Cloud. It noted that China Mobile International sells telecom and IT products to businesses, but said this does not show who uses Mobile Cloud. It also said Zhipu has received funding from a Chinese state firm, which it did not name.
For teams that build on or buy AI models in China, this may add a new route to GLM through a large telecom's cloud. Tech in Asia said the deal fits China's policy focus on domestic computing capacity and on putting AI to use.