- tech360.tv
Huawei, Chinese Telecoms Tout 5G's Potential to Transform Lives
Updated: Jan 5
Executives at MWC Shanghai highlight the transformative power of 5G, as major players pledge their commitment to the high-speed mobile internet standard.
China's telecom industry leaders gathered at this year's MWC Shanghai to reaffirm their dedication to the development of 5G, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize daily life. Wen Ku, Chairman of the China Communications Standards Association, acknowledged the initial challenges faced by telecom companies when pursuing 5G four years ago but emphasized the positive impact it has had since its widespread rollout in 2019.
According to Wen, the introduction of 5G has not only transformed the telecommunications sector but also significantly changed the lives of users. He highlighted the ability of farmers, for instance, to promote their products nationwide through live-streaming using just their smartphones, once network coverage reached remote areas.
Prominent participants at the conference included China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom, Huawei Technologies, Qualcomm and iFlytek. Additionally, esteemed organizations such as the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) and the China Communications Standards Association contributed their expertise.
China has emerged as a pioneer in 5G deployment, boasting an extensive coverage network. As of May, the country had over 2.8 million 5G base stations, a figure provided by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and CAIAT. Huawei, in particular, has played a vital role in establishing this network, securing a majority share (52%) of China Mobile's 5G base station work from 2023 to 2024.
China's commitment to 5G is reflected in its significant user base, which reached 500 million by September 2022, accounting for approximately 35% of the population, according to a CAICT report released in January. Notably, in densely populated Hong Kong, 65% of the population, or 4.8 million people, are already utilizing 5G services, as confirmed by Lee Shun, head of the local communications authority's regulatory office. The municipal government of Hong Kong is actively encouraging the adoption of 5G in various sectors, including construction, property management and school campuses, to foster smarter environments.
Cao Ming, President of Huawei's wireless network products, underlined the rapid adoption of 5G in China, surpassing the rate at which 4G was embraced. Cao also revealed that Huawei is developing 5.5G, a next-level technology offering ten times the speed of existing networks.
Highlighting the significance of computing networks in the age of AI, Li Bin, Deputy General Manager of China Mobile Internet, shared the company's efforts to establish a national computing network that facilitates resource-sharing across different regions. Li emphasized the importance of computing power for productivity, especially in AI-related activities that rely on resource-intensive training.
While the progress of 5G in China is commendable, Wen acknowledged the need for further improvements, particularly in areas like high-speed train connectivity. Challenges remain in delivering a seamless 5G experience in all scenarios.
MWC Shanghai, the largest mobile communications industry trade show globally, returns as an in-person event this year after travel restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic forced a virtual format in 2021. The event, held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre from June 28 to 30, focuses on the theme of "velocity," highlighting the transformative potential of 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT) and augmented reality.
China's telecom giants express strong support for 5G development at MWC Shanghai.
5G has revolutionised the telecom industry and transformed users' lives.
China boasts over 2.8 million 5G base stations, with Huawei as a major contributor.
China has 500 million 5G users, while Hong Kong has reached 65% 5G adoption.
Source: SCMP