China steps up 5.5G commercial deployment to meet rising digital transformation demands

Leading telecommunications operators in China have deployed the 5.5G communications technology in the country to meet the growing needs of multiple industries to achieve digital transformation.

5.5G, also known as 5G-A, is a transitional phase of mobile communications technology between 5G and 6G. 5.5G has significant advancements in capacity, speed, latency reduction, positioning, and reliability.

As industries in China entered the stage of digital shift, the needs for enhanced telecommunications technology that could boost emerging industries including metaverse, intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs) and generative AI are growing.

To meet the needs, China's telecom giants, including China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom, are promoting the commercial application of 5.5G technology. They have deployed pilot 5.5G networks in more than 20 provinces across the country so far.

China Telecom is the first operator in the country to launch service that could integrate 5.5G technology with mining and steel sectors of places including Shanghai and Shaanxi Province in northwest China.

China Mobile announced it would roll out the world's largest commercial deployment of 5.5G network in over 300 cities across China this year and planned to achieve full commercialization of 5G-A by the end of 2026.

China Unicom also conducts 5.5G network application in multiple fields. It unveiled the world's first 5G-Advanced-based ultra-high-definition (UHD) shallow compression encoding and real-time production system which ensures higher-quality audio and video production and broadcasting, offering better visual experiences to viewers.

As the 5.5G technology advances, it would be applied into more scenarios.

"As the technology grows more mature in the future, its excellent capabilities will help turn 5.5G commercial application from consensus within industries to reality. The 5.5G application would be expanded to wider scenarios such as smart transportation, smart entertainment and remote diagnosis," said Xu Chang, a researcher from China Center for Information Industry Development

China steps up 5.5G commercial deployment to meet rising digital transformation demands

China and Spain are set to deepen bilateral economic and trade cooperation, with a focus on expanding collaboration in emerging industries such as clean energy and cross-border e-commerce, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

During a regular press briefing, spokesperson He Yongqian said the ministry will work closely with Spanish authorities to strengthen ties and cement economic partnerships.

"Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez recently led a trade delegation to China, where he and Minister Wang Wentao delivered speeches at the second meeting of the China-Spain Business Advisory Council, joined by over 60 representatives from both countries. During the meeting, business leaders from China and Spain expressed their commitment not only to strengthening cooperation in traditional sectors but also to exploring opportunities in emerging industries such as clean energy, cross-border e-commerce, big data, and the low-altitude economy, while jointly expanding into other markets," He said.

The spokesperson said the next step is to provide more regular and practical platforms for exchanges between businesses from the two countries.

Sanchez visited China for a four-day trip that began on Sept. 8.

China, Spain to deepen economic cooperation, explore new sectors: commerce ministry