- Massive 5G Expansion: China ended 2024 with 4.19 million 5G base stations, achieving nationwide coverage, and plans to increase this number to 4.5 million by the end of 2025, far outpacing the U.S.’s 270,000 stations.
- Global Leader in Connectivity: With over 1.18 billion 5G connections—half of the global total—and 200 million gigabit fiber broadband lines, China has established itself as a dominant force in digital infrastructure.
- Ambitious Tech Goals for 2025: China aims to advance 6G technology, invest in industrial 5G private networks, and lead in generative AI development, combining AI with manufacturing to drive economic growth.
China closed 2024 with a staggering 4.19 million operational 5G base stations, achieving nationwide 5G coverage, including in rural villages. This milestone, announced by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) at its National Industrial and Information Technology Work Conference in Beijing, is set to grow further. By the end of 2025, China plans to add over 300,000 more stations, reaching an anticipated total of 4.5 million. This scale dwarfs the 270,000 5G base stations deployed by U.S. mobile operators by early 2024, underscoring China’s significant lead in 5G infrastructure.
Years of substantial investment in 5G networks and aggressive marketing of services have placed China at the forefront of global connectivity. With over 1.18 billion 5G connections—half of the estimated 2.3 billion worldwide—China leads in adoption. Notably, the country’s major telecom operators, China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom, played a pivotal role in driving these numbers. China Mobile alone reached 547.1 million 5G customers out of its total one billion connections by November 2024, while China Telecom and China Unicom reported 349.4 million and 288.9 million 5G users, respectively.
China’s technological achievements extend beyond wireless networks. The country now has over 200 million active gigabit fiber broadband lines, further strengthening its digital infrastructure. This fiber network complements the 5G rollout, ensuring high-speed connectivity in both urban and rural areas. Such comprehensive digital coverage positions China as a global leader in connectivity, offering a robust foundation for advanced technological applications.
Looking ahead, the MIIT outlined ambitious goals for 2025, coinciding with the conclusion of China’s 14th five-year economic development plan. Key objectives include advancing 5G technology, spearheading the innovative development of 6G, and increasing investments in industrial 5G private networks. These efforts aim to drive the integration of cutting-edge technologies across industries and bolster the country’s economic and technological prowess.
Another major focus is the development of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and large language models (LLMs), both general and industrial. The MIIT emphasized the potential of AI in transforming manufacturing and other key sectors, reflecting China’s strategy to merge advanced connectivity with emerging technologies. By leveraging AI and 6G innovations, the nation aims to maintain its competitive edge and shape the future of global technology.
