Context: 5G plays a crucial role in 'new infrastructure' stimulus in the post-COVID-19 era. Following the Politiburo's call in March 2020 for speeding up 5G construction, MIIT issued a specialised 5G development plan, looking to expand the network and promote integrated applications. Multiple MIIT officials prioritised 5G in the rush for building new infrastructure, pledging targeted support to boost 5G applications and consumption.
The domestic 5G network has been rapidly expanding, stated Chen Zhaoxiong 陈肇雄 MIIT (Ministry of Industry and IT) vice minister on 17 May 2020, noting far more than 200,000 base stations are in operation. 600,000 will be in operation by end 2020, predicts Xinhua, 250,000 operated by China Mobile and 250,000 by China Telecom and China Unicom under a partnership on network building and sharing. By end 2020 the network will cover
- outdoor areas in cities above the prefecture-level
- key counties and townships
- key indoor application scenarios
Roll-out is the first step of a veritable 5G network, stresses Pan Helin 盘和林 Zhongnan University of Economics and Law Digital Economy Institute executive director, noting the current obstacles in funding and distant profitability. Scaling up 5G is urgently needed, echoes Wang Jianzhou 王建宙 GSMA senior advisor, advocating the control of construction and operation costs through
- partnerships between telcos
- energy-efficient base stations developed through manufacturer-operator partnerships
- power price reductions for base stations
- increased involvement of enterprises through
- internal network building
- enhancement of data processing capabilities
- stronger cybersecurity and privacy protection
Business development is the largest challenge, argues Cui Kai 崔凯 IDC IoT (internet of things) senior research manager. Clear application scenarios that would boost demand and network construction seem far away, calling for ground-breaking improvements in user experience. 5G applications still have no solid foundation, agrees Pan. City-level data centres and industrial digitisation can promote scale use of 5G applications, suggests Zheng Yu 郑宇 JDD Chief Scientist. Localities have been ramping up efforts on 5G integration with industrial internet, launching pilots since May 2020 in Guangdong, Hebei, Hubei, Shanghai and Shenyang. The value added from the industrial internet will reach C¥4.1 tn in 2020, forecasts Chinese Academy of ICT.
95 firms received approval to develop 5G devices by 20 April, says Wen Ku 闻库 MIIT ICT Department director, pledging to
- support R&D by mobile device manufacturers
- encourage telcos to promote sales of 5G mobile phones
- promote cross-sector integration using 5G