5G application speeds up digital transformation of Chinese industries

(ECNS) -- China has integrated 5G applications into about 76 of the 97 national economic categories, indirectly generating output of about 14 trillion yuan, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced Wednesday.

The number of 5G base stations in the country reached 4.089 million as of the end of September, according to available data.

Since 2024, the Ministry has accelerated the application of new generation information technologies in industries like manufacturing, mining, electricity and healthcare to further promote socioeconomic development.

More than 15,000 projects have been launched for the application of "5G plus industrial internet" while the number of 5G users now account for 69.6 percent of the total population.

Specifically, the number of information products has surged, meeting increasing demand for AI cellphones, smart household equipment and other intelligent terminals.

Statistics in August show that the output of service robots has increased by 20.1 percent year-on-year.

Moreover, the number of 1000M broadband service subscribers in the country has reached 196 million while the 5G network now covers every village.

Another highlight of the industrial application is that the public products are becoming smarter. For instance, in terms of healthcare, nearly 1,000 “5G plus medical health” projects have been piloted.

The Ministry said China would continue to advance R&D innovation and industrialization concerning key technologies like integrated circuit, industrial software, AI and satellite Internet to foster and develop emerging and future-oriented sectors.