5G network scale and quality lead the world, China accounts for nearly half of 5G mobile phone users

5G network leads the world in scale and quality——

China’s 5G mobile phone users account for nearly half

　　A signal tower stands in Gumu Township, Gaize County, Ngari Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region. When you turn on your mobile phone, the "5G" symbol will immediately pop up on the screen - on September 30, 2023, the 5G base station in Gumu Township was completed and opened, marking the realization of access to the 5G network in all towns and villages in the Tibet Autonomous Region.

　　This is a true portrayal of the development of 5G applications in China. As applications enter deep-water areas, the potential of 5G in high-quality economic and social development in China is gradually being released. The "2023 Communications Industry Statistical Bulletin" recently released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology shows that since 5G was commercialized in 2019, investment in the communications industry has maintained positive growth for five consecutive years, with the annual investment scale exceeding 400 billion yuan for four consecutive years, of which 5G Cumulative investment exceeds 730 billion yuan. In 2023, the three basic telecommunications companies and China Tower Co., Ltd. will complete a total telecommunications fixed asset investment of 420.5 billion yuan. Among them, 5G investment reached 190.5 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 5.7%, accounting for 45.3% of all investment.

　　At the end of 2023, the National Industrial and Information Work Conference proposed to coordinate the "construction, use and research" work, promote the large-scale deployment of 5G and gigabit optical networks, and accelerate the layout of intelligent computing facilities. According to data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the total number of 5G base stations in China currently reaches 3.377 million, the network base has been further consolidated, and network applications are continuously enriched. “my country’s 5G network is already leading the world in scale and quality, but in order to tap the potential of 5G more broadly, deeply, and safely, network construction must be further accelerated, focusing on promoting coverage in remote areas, deep coverage in key scenarios, and 5G industry private networks. Development, etc.” The relevant person in charge of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said that in 2024, 5G networks will advance towards in-depth coverage.

　　It is understood that China’s current 5G mobile phone users account for nearly half. By the end of 2023, the number of mobile phone users in China has reached 1.727 billion, and the penetration rate of mobile phone users has reached 122.5 units/100 people, which is 15.5 points higher than the global average (107 units/100 people). Mobile phone users are accelerating their migration to 5G. The number of 5G mobile phone users has reached 805 million, accounting for 46.6% of mobile phone users, which is 2.5 times the global average. This year, a net increase of 244 million 5G mobile phone users has been achieved. The number of households was 38.4 million higher than the previous year.

　　Industry integration applications are deepened and expanded. By the end of 2023, the industry had developed a total of 31,600 5G virtual private networks, 2.2 times the number at the end of the previous year. 5G industry applications have evolved from point-based demonstrations to large-scale replication in some fields. The number of 5G application cases has exceeded 94,000, and has been integrated into 71 of the 97 national economic categories, covering nearly 70% of major industries, and in mining, electric power , ports and other industries; achieving coverage in all prefectures and cities in 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) across the country. The promotion of "5G + Industrial Internet" is accelerating, and 5G fully connected factories have been implemented one after another, promoting the expansion of 5G applications from peripheral auxiliary to core production control links. The latency, reliability and other indicators of 5G network provide guarantee for the stability of production business.

　　In 2024, with the vigorous development of the digital economy and new industrialization, the digital transformation of various industries has entered a critical stage. Experts believe that focusing on application scenarios in key industries, establishing more demonstration benchmarks, strengthening promotion and application, and promoting the large-scale development of 5G applications will be the main line of development this year. At present, China has built more than 340 industrial Internet platforms with certain influence, more than 10,000 "5G + Industrial Internet" projects, and there have been 62 "lighthouse factories" representing the highest level of intelligent manufacturing and digitalization in the global manufacturing industry. , 5G-A automobile flexible production line and other cutting-edge projects have been implemented. Under the guidance of the "lighthouse" and the demonstration of the "benchmark", China's large-scale 5G application is expected to achieve strong development this year.

　　"Industry applications of 5G have been integrated into 71 major categories of the national economy, especially in key vertical industries such as industry, mining, electric power, ports, and medical care." said Zhang Lixian, chief researcher of the Institute of Strategy and Industry, China Mobile Think Tank, "5G applications It has achieved scale replication and helped thousands of industries achieve transformation and upgrading as well as improve quality and efficiency." (People's Daily Overseas Edition reporter Kong Dechen)