China's largest telecom service provider, China Mobile Ltd, said its first-half net profit edged up 5.6 percent, its first interim profit rise in three years, as growth from lucrative 4G services helped it fend off stiff competition.

Beijing-based China Mobile said on Thursday net profit for the half rose to 60.6 billion yuan ($9.13 billion) from 57.3 billion yuan a year earlier. Revenue grew 7.1 percent to 370.4 billion yuan.

"China Mobile has focused its promotional efforts toward 4G upgrades and this campaign has successfully attracted a significant number of 2G/3G customers," Chairman Shang Bing said in the filing.