China records giant stride towards global 5G dominance

*Constructs world largest 5G mobile network

Onome Amuge

China, one of the world’s leading economic giants, has made initial achievements in building the world’s largest fifth generation (5G) mobile network, the country’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) confirmed.

While addressing a press conference on Monday, Liu Liehong, vice minister, MIIT, said the country had by the end of February, constructed a total of 792,000 5G base stations, with the number of mobile terminals connected to the network reaching 260 million, the highest recorded number in history.

 Liehong further noted that the most populous nation whose mobile network speed ranks fourth among 139 countries and regions according to data from an international speed measuring agency, aims to promote the construction and application of 5G networks in the world and likely to build over 600,000 5G base stations in 2021.

The ministry also estimated 5G mobile phone shipments in China would account for 80 percent of the total shipments in the second half of this year as it shifts focus from network coverage and popularisation to sustained improvements in speed and quality.

China aims to build more than 600,000 5G base stations in 2021. The MIIT has pledged efforts to promote the construction and application of 5G networks in an orderly manner. The ministry also plans to build a double gigabit network infrastructure set to cover urban areas and towns where conditions are satisfied in three years.