PARTNER CONTENT: China – the world’s largest mobile market – is set to establish itself as a pioneer in the next phase of 5G development, with China Mobile successfully launching the world’s first commercial deployment of 5G Advanced (5G-A) technology and an array of exciting new service packages.
On March 28 this year China Mobile Shanghai launched 5G-A networks in the city, reaching nearly 150,000 households. The operator plans to soon expand the network to 100 cities across the country, and to more than 300 cities by the end of 2024.
The operator followed up this world-first launch during MWC Shanghai held in this summer, releasing three very special 5G Advanced packages. And the initial 1,000 subscribers can enjoy a one-year package for free!
The 5G-A Business Travel Package offers up to 3 Gbps downlink speeds and 200 Mbps uplink, plus 100-minute access to the AI Shorthand function as part of the 5G New Calling services, as well as cloud PC and DragonPass VIP travel services, for just CNY30 per month.
The 5G-A Livestreaming Package is offered at just CNY20 per month and includes 5G New Calling, audiovisual entertainment, and cloud phone, with up to 2 Gbps downlink speeds and 150 Mbps uplink.
And the 5G-A Gaming Package costs CNY20 per month and includes a gaming background music offering, cloud phone, and Migu Fun gaming membership, with up to 2 Gbps download speeds and 150 Mbps uplink.
Initial launch
China Mobile Shanghai’s initial launch of 5G-A covered well-known landmarks in the city, major roads within the outer ring road (fully covering the main urban areas and backbone roads), and enables the country’s first 5G-A subway line.
Early speed indications are impressive, with speeds up to ten times that of previous 5G networks. China Mobile Shanghai showcased 5 Gbpsdownlink rates and 500 Mbps uplink. The average experienced rate was 2.5 Gbps. And, looking ahead, the operator is aiming for service capabilities of 1 Gbps uplink and 10 Gbps downlink.
Of course, a network is nothing without supporting devices, and China Mobile Shanghai is partnering with vendors to jointly build a 5G-A ecosystem. Two glasses-free 3D devices (a mobile phone and a tablet) enable customers to enjoy immersive viewing experiences without the need for 3D glasses.
At MWC Barcelona in February, Li Qiang, head of China Mobile’s planning and construction department, said he expected the integration of 5G-Advanced with cloud and AI to create new services based on its rich new user experience capabilities.
Driven by both technology and market, 5G-A’s commercial integration with cloud and AI will generate new experiences, new connections, new models, and new services, and promote the sustainable development of 5G.
Li Qiang Head of China Mobile’s planning and construction department
On May 16, the World Telecommunications Day, China Mobile Shanghai announced it was the first to build a ‘5G A² Demonstration City,’ com
New services
China Mobile launched 5G New Calling (5GNC) in 2023. By adding AI and computing capabilities to calling services, it upgrades traditional voice and video calling and brings users ultra-high-definition, interactive, intelligent, and efficient New Calling experiences. China Mobile has now created an AI+ product family, offering intelligent translation, AI shorthand, speech-to-text, and fun calling.
Mobile HD brings 8K resolution, 16-times the resolution of full HD. Content includes the China Super League, CBA and NBA events, as well as other global sports events such as the Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup, and UEFA European Championship.
The operator’s mobile cloud disk has an ‘AI Store’ which provides users with AI tools and applications such as AI help-me-write, old photo repair, and voice translation.
And video RBTs have introduced AIGC capabilities, enabling the intelligent creation of text-to-video and ‘smart dancing’ whereby users can generate their own video RBTs in a personalized manner.
To promote the development of the 5G-A industry, China Mobile, together with multiple industry partners, has also established the 5G-A Industry Alliance. The operator is now pushing numerous achievements in content applications, technology platforms, and ecosystem capabilities.
Expansion plans
China Mobile has pioneered the commercial deployment of 5G-A and has major expansion goals. The operator aims to accelerate the availability of 5G-A devices, with plans to introduce over 20 5G-A devices and develop a user base exceeding 20 million within the year.
With the 3GPP Release 18 standard frozen in June 2024 and key factors of 5G-A such as technology and ecosystems increasingly mature, this year truly marks the commercial launch of 5G-A. Many operators around the world are now planning deployments, following in the footsteps of China Mobile. According to a GSMA Intelligence survey, half of all global operators are expected to roll out commercial 5G-A networks within two years of the standards being released.