perhaps YOU are the fail
Like Russia, there is very little infrastructure in China for household "land line" phones; everyone has a mobile.
Even when landlines are available (usually in new developments), the quality of service is poor; my Chinese girlfriend lives in a brand new apartment block and her internet connection regularly fails while we are trying to talk (using QQ naturally!!)
Outside of the cities you have a choice, a mobile or nothing!!
People often live in a breeze-block box with no running water or sewage system, although there is often a HUGE satellite dish on the roof (or propped up on the side of the building if the structure is too dodgy to support the weight).