Chinese telecommunications company, China Mobile, is reportedly planning to introduce 5G-Advanced (5G-A) technology in more than 300 cities throughout China this year. The company, which is a key player in setting 5G-A standards, also intends to launch over 20 5G-A compatible smartphones within the same timeframe.
To showcase its new 5G-A network, China Mobile has set up demonstration halls in various locations across the country. Customers who own the OPPO Find X7 Ultra smartphone can visit these halls to experience the 5G-A technology firsthand.
China Mobile's Vice President, Gao Tongqing, believes that this launch will speed up the development of new information infrastructure and will encourage vested stakeholders to fully utilize the capabilities of 5G technology. The company aims to encourage the widespread adoption of 5G-A technology in China through collaborations with manufacturers and chip suppliers. The initial cities where China Mobile will activate the new technology include Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
By the end of last year, China Mobile had a total of 465 million 5G subscribers, marking a 42.1% increase from the previous year. The company also gained 138 million new 5G subscribers in 2023. In terms of financial performance, China Mobile's net profit rose by 5% year-on-year to CNY 131.7 billion (USD 18.3 billion) in 2023, while its operating revenue grew by 6.3% to CNY 863.5 billion.
The company had a total of 991 million mobile subscribers by the end of 2023, representing a 1.6% increase from the previous year. Capital expenditure (CapEx) totaled CNY 180.3 billion, representing 20.9% of telecommunications services revenue, marking a decrease of 1.9 percentage points compared to the previous year.
As of the end of last year, China had 11.6 million mobile communication base stations, with 3.4 million being 5G base stations. 5G base stations now make up 29% of all mobile base stations in China, showing a 7.8 percentage point increase from the end of 2022.
The launch of China Mobile's services will not only accelerate the advancement of new information infrastructure within the country but also serve as a catalyst for various stakeholders to harness the full potential of 5G technology. This significant milestone is poised to foster an environment where stakeholders, including businesses, government entities, and consumers, are motivated to leverage the capabilities offered by 5G networks.
From enhanced connectivity to innovative applications in various sectors such as healthcare, education, transportation, and manufacturing, the widespread adoption of 5G technology facilitated by China Mobile's initiatives will pave the way for transformative advancements and contribute to the overall socioeconomic progress of the nation.
