(ECNS) - The Yangtze River Delta, a major economic region centered around Shanghai, is accelerating the pace to embrace ultra-fast 5th generation (5G) mobile networks with an investment of 200 billion yuan ($30 billion) over four years, Economic Information Daily reported.
China’s three major telecom operators – China Telecom, China Mobile, China Unicom – as well as China Tower, a state-owned company that runs the country's telecom towers, have signed an agreement to pioneer 5G networks in three provinces and Shanghai to promote the digital economy through extensive cooperation on network infrastructure.
According to the agreement, the delta region will build China’s largest 5G test field this year, take the national lead in commercial trials next year, steer it into full commercial use in 2020, and simultaneously promote the 5G-based industrial chain.
Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou and Suzhou, four major cities in the triangle-shaped metropolitan region, are already on the three operators’ list of 5G pilot cities. Local branches of the three operators have vowed to develop Shanghai’s 5G networks to the highest international standard.
Shanghai is also home to a number of 5G-centered application tests such as the Internet of Things, Internet of Vehicles and Smart City initiatives.
The operators will accelerate building the 5G network in the delta region, assist the interconnection of public services such as medical insurance, social security and public transportation, and also support intergovernmental and interdepartmental platforms focused on the population, transportation and environment.
