China speeds up 5G rollout

China will build more than 600,000 5G base stations in 2021 to speed up the commercialization of 5G technology, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on Tuesday.

Zhao Zhiguo, head of the ministry’s information and communications management bureau, said the country will speed up building 5G base stations in counties and towns this year.

The plan comes even after China has built more than 718,000 5G base stations as of mid-December, with 5G available in more than 300 cities at prefecture level and above.

"More efforts will be made to combine 5G with emerging consumption models, including augmented reality, virtual reality and immersive games, as well as promote the integration of 5G into life services," he said.

The ministry also disclosed 5G commercialization gained momentum in China last year. More than 600,000 5G base stations were newly built, and the number of 5G terminal connections also surpassed 200 million during the period.