Staffers of China Unicom test the 5G network in Fuzhou, capital city of East China's Fujian province. [Photo/Fujian Daily]

Fujian has taken another step toward large-scale commercial use of the fifth generation mobile network or 5G, as the province completed its first voice phone call under the superfast network backed by the country's telecom carrier China Unicom in Fuzhou on Tuesday.

The phone call was made using a Huawei 20X handset, with the download speed reaching up to 700 Mbps. When fully operational, subscribers will enjoy the same service without needing to upgrade their SIM cards.

As a trial city of the 5G network for China Unicom, one of the major three telecommunication services providers, Fuzhou, capital city of Fujian province has been leading the nation in expanding 5G network coverage and exploring 5G-enabled application scenarios and innovations.

When compared with the 4G network, the 5G network features ultrahigh transmission rates, enhanced capacity and reduced latency.

Fujian's first 5G base station constructed by China Unicom went into operation during the first digital China Summit in Fuzhou in 2018.

In the same year, a 4K high-definition online streaming event under the 5G network showing a drone patrol of the Wujiang River in Fuzhou was completed. The test, integrating the 5G technology with that of AR and drones, was the first of its kind nationwide.

Earlier this month, the China Unicom and Fujian Provincial Administration of Television and Radio launched a 4K HD live broadcast covering a promotion conference in Fuzhou over the 5G network.

Provinces and municipalities in China are scrambling to climb the 5G ladder and take a leading role.

The world's first 5G video call was made in in Hongkou district in Shanghai on March 30. In the same month, Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, vowed to realize large-scale commercial use of 5G by 2020, whereas Wuhan in Central China said it has completed a trial network encompassing over 100 5G base stations to conduct experiments in autonomous driving, drone patrols and Beidou satellite-backed precise positioning.

The second Digital China Summit is slated to be held in Fuzhou on May 6-8. The event is set to showcase the the country's lastest achievements in the digital economy.