5G race continues: Shanghai deploys 20,000 base stations

China continues to race ahead in the deployment of 5G wireless infrastructure despite challenges from the novel Coronavirus pandemic.

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) officially issued licenses for the launch of commercial 5G networks in China in June 2019. Those authorizations were granted to China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom and state-owned broadcaster China Broadcasting Network.

Since then, it has reached multiple areas of the country, including commercial hubs like Nanjing Road E., Xujiahui and Lujiazui, which will have significant 5G coverage with download speeds exceeding 500 mbps. Beijing, China’s capital, already deployed almost 22000 5G base stations with 3.1 million 5G users since it officially kicked off commercial 5G services last year, according to the Beijing Municipal Communications Administration.

Moreover, it was predicted that the number of 5G base stations in Beijing would exceed 30,000 by the end of 2020, and 5G indoor coverage equipment would be installed in 5,000 buildings, according its municipal government.

According to reports, Shanghai expects to invest $1.43 billion in 5G this year, aiming to cover the city with an average download speed of 200 mbps. Whereas, the 5G download speed will reach 500 mbps in places such as exhibition centers and airports.

“By the end of May, we have built more than 20,000 base stations, which means, basically, the downtown area in Shanghai has realized full coverage of 5G network,” said Wu Jincheng, Director of the Shanghai Commission of Economy and Information.

According to a previous GSMA report, 28% of Chinese mobile connections will be running on 5G by 2025, which is around one-third of all 5G connections globally. The rapid deployment of 5G  will facilitate greater information capacity, accessibility and connectivity which further consolidates and affirms China’s ambition of becoming a leading internet backbone in the region and the world.