China's large language model providers are moving from flat per-use fees to tiered and time-based pricing as token demand explodes, according to CCTV Finance via Odaily. In the week from July 27 to August 2, weekly token call volumes hit 28.13 trillion, keeping China at the No.1 spot globally for a 14th consecutive week. The numbers underline a fast-growing market: platform operators report token demand is surging and that peak periods are already stretching supply. That mix of runaway demand and periodic compute shortages is now reshaping how model vendors bill their customers. Kimi, for example, has introduced four monthly subscription tiers priced between 39 and 559 yuan. DeepSeek, on the other hand, says it will raise prices for its open model API and is expected to adopt 'peak-valley' pricing, with daily peak windows from 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. charged at double the standard rate.
China's AI large language models are shifting toward time-differentiated pricing as token consumption keeps climbing, according to CCTV Finance via Odaily.
In the week from July 27 to August 2, Chinese AI models processed 28.13 trillion tokens in calls, keeping China at No.1 globally for a 14th consecutive week. Token supply platforms report that demand is now growing rapidly, with peaks already outstripping supply.
That pressure, along with periodic compute shortages, is pushing vendors away from simple per-use billing. Kimi has launched four monthly subscription plans priced from 39 yuan to 559 yuan. DeepSeek says it will raise prices for its open model API and expects to roll out 'peak-valley' pricing: daily peak windows of 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. would be charged at double the normal rate.
A specific rollout timeline has not been disclosed.
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