Digital News

　　This year marks the final year of the 14th Five-Year Plan, as well as the sixth anniversary of the issuance of 5G licenses and the fifth anniversary of the launch of the “Set Sail” Action Plan for 5G Applications. On June 6, in celebration of the sixth anniversary of the issuance of 5G licenses, People’s Posts and Telecommunications News launched a special column titled “5G Large-Scale Application Upgrading.” This column will offer in-depth insights into the innovation practices, typical cases, achievements, and valuable experiences from the large-scale application of 5G across diverse industries, focusing on upgrades in 5G applications, industrial transformation, network improvements, and ecosystem development. Stay tuned for more updates.

　　China has a total of 4.439 million 5G base stations, ensuring “5G coverage in every town,” with 90% of administrative villages now connected to 5G. The mobile communication network is rapidly evolving towards 5G-A, with over 300 cities having deployed 5G-A networks.

　　The number of 5G mobile phone users has reached 1.081 billion. 5G applications have been integrated into 86 out of 97 major sectors of the national economy, with more than 138,000 cases in total. Over 18,500 “5G + Industrial Internet” projects are under construction in China, with 700 advanced 5G factories selected in total. Additionally, 58,000 5G virtual private networks have been established, covering key application areas such as industry, ports, healthcare, and energy.

　　The 5G network has reached the world’s highest peak, crossed the Hoh Xil Unmanned Zone, and protected the remote forests of the Greater Khingan Range. It has allowed millions of viewers worldwide to experience a new kind of “Chinese speed” through live streams by the streamer named “IShowSpeed.”

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　　This year marks the final year of the 14th Five-Year Plan, as well as the sixth anniversary of the issuance of 5G licenses and the fifth anniversary of the launch of the “Set Sail” Action Plan for 5G Applications. Looking back from this historical crossroad, the information and communications industry has already exceeded the 5G construction and development targets set in the 14th Five-Year Plan. China’s 5G has transformed from being “well-built” to “widely used,” signifying a shift from technology-driven to value-driven progress. Its multi-dimensional impact has laid a strong foundation for accelerating new industrialization and establishing China as both a manufacturing powerhouse and a cyberpower.

　　Six Years of Foundation-Laying

　　5G Strengthens the Cornerstone of New Infrastructure

　　As the neural network of the digital world and the driving force behind the AI era, 5G represents a strategic frontier in global scientific and technological innovation. China attaches great importance to 5G development. General Secretary Xi Jinping has made several important instructions, stressing the need to “accelerate 5G network development,” “speed up the construction of new infrastructure such as 5G networks and data centers,” and “actively expand 5G application scenarios to stimulate the consumption of 5G smartphones and other devices.”

　　China’s 5G has not only demonstrated “Chinese speed” in network construction but also highlighted its “depth of innovation,” accelerating rapidly in the race to build this key infrastructure foundation. China actively participates in the formulation of international 5G standards, holding over 42% of global declarations for standard-essential patents for 5G. Meanwhile, China continues to strengthen the innovation capabilities of 5G products and devices, with domestic companies leading the global development of 5G modules and securing more than 80% of the market share. Over 100 5G fusion application standards have been released, and more than 700 5G industry terminal products, including industrial gateways, CPEs, and inspection robots, are now available in the market. It is worth noting that, in response to the anticipation of 5G network access from users in remote and rural areas, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has accelerated 5G expansion in these regions through initiatives such as “Broadband for the Border,” “Signal Enhancement,” and “5G Inter-Network Roaming.” These efforts are helping promote the realization of goals like “comprehensive rural revitalization” and “stability and prosperity of border areas.”

　　As technology evolves, China’s 5G development entered its “second half” last year, ushering in the 5G-A era. In response to new challenges and opportunities, China continues to take the lead in shaping 5G-A international standards. China has launched the first 5G-A base station on Mount Everest and initiated the world’s largest 5G-A commercial rollout, driving the increasing expansion of the 5G-A product ecosystem. More than 300 cities are now leveraging 5G-A to empower the development of smart cities, opening a new chapter… By “seizing the initiative early,” China aims to “secure a leading role in defining the future discourse.”

　　In the face of the explosive rise of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, 5G serves as a powerful enabler, accelerating data transmission across clouds, terminals, and devices at remarkable speeds. The synergy between 5G and AI creates a multiplier effect, unlocking new quality productive forces. China’s information and communications industry is seeing the frequent rollout of 5G×AI and 5G-A×AI products and solutions, steadily bringing the vision of a fully interconnected, intelligent world closer to reality. The fusion of 5G with IoT technologies has resulted in mobile IoT connections outnumbering mobile users in China. Additionally, 5G-A and embodied intelligence are enabling humanoid robots to transition from “performing on stage” to “operating in factories”... This blend of complementary strengths and dynamic interactions is sparking a continuous wave of innovation.

　　Six Years of Steady Growth

　　5G Injects Powerful Momentum into the Deep Integration of the Real and Digital Economies

　　In six years of rapid advancement, China’s 5G has not only made significant strides in its overall development but has also driven the continuous emergence of new models and business forms through “strong empowerment.” It has facilitated the transformation and upgrade of traditional industries, supported the balanced development of public services, and set a benchmark for the integration of technological and industrial innovation. This has boosted the “innovation” and “value” of economic growth, injecting a steady stream of powerful momentum into the deep integration of the real and digital economies.

　　5G is accelerating the formation of new consumption industries and business forms, nurturing fresh sources of economic growth. For personal consumption, new applications like “5G-enabled vehicles,” 5G smart robots, 5G calling, and 5G messaging are emerging one after another. 5G-A glasses-free 3D technology is poised for launch, while 5G-A also powers the rise of the low-altitude economy. These innovations not only enrich the 5G consumer experience but also spur the growth of mobile data traffic, opening up new opportunities in digital consumption and providing fresh momentum for economic development.

　　5G is driving traditional industries into the digital and intelligent era, injecting fresh momentum into economic transformation. Its integration and innovative applications across vertical sectors such as manufacturing, energy, mining, ports, and agriculture have been enhanced, resulting in continuous improvements in production quality and operational efficiency. Thanks to 5G, Schneider has reduced its production line switching time from 7 days to just 15 minutes, boosting production capacity by 12%. With the support of 5G-A, GWM has effectively solved issues related to equipment connectivity and real-time data synchronization in industrial control, leading to an annual efficiency gain of 600 million yuan... Currently, 20 typical use cases of the “5G + Industrial Internet” initiative have been established across 10 major industries. 5G and 5G-A are accelerating their integration into the core production processes of the real economy, covering the entire production cycle.

　　5G has enhanced the service support in people’s livelihoods, fostering new hopes for a better digital life among the public. In public service sectors such as government services, digital education, social governance, smart culture and tourism, healthcare, radio, television and audiovisual services, and digital sports, 5G facilitates precise supply-demand matching and the sharing and reuse of high-quality resources. 5G+digital villages ensure the safety and happiness of rural residents; 5G+smart education brings high-quality resources to classrooms, overcoming vast distances; 5G-A remote healthcare removes the barriers of time and space, offering a “hope of life” in milliseconds… 5G improves the accessibility of public services, boosting people’s sense of fulfillment.

　　Moreover, China’s 5G has gone global, offering the world the opportunity to benefit from “China’s wisdom” and “China’s experience.” In the open-pit mine of Noyon Daraga in Russia, China’s “5G+Smart Mining Solution” has turned semi-automated and unmanned mining into a reality. At the CATL factory in Thuringia, Germany, the international 5G private network deployed by a Chinese company ensures secure and stable cross-border management and operations. In Saraburi, Thailand, China’s “5G+Autonomous Driving” smart green mining project has achieved intelligent collaborative operations. All six Gulf Cooperation Council countries have embraced the “China Solution” to complete their 5G-A deployments, significantly accelerating the global commercialization of 5G-A… An increasing number of Chinese companies are bringing China’s 5G technology and proven projects to the global stage, enabling local businesses and communities to enjoy the benefits of digital technology.

　　Rising to the challenge and moving forward, a world of possibilities lies ahead. The Report on the Work of the Government this year once again underscores a clear commitment to the development of 5G, emphasizing the need to “promote broader application of 5G technology” and “foster future industries such as 6G technology.” Currently, China is intensifying efforts to scale up 5G applications, moving full steam ahead to drive the deep integration of the real and digital economies. It is solidifying the digital foundation for Chinese-style modernization, steadily supporting the realization of the people’s aspirations for a better digital life.