Faster, Smarter, Greener: China Unveils 5G-A Network Plans
— November 24, 2024
BEIJING (AIA) China has unveiled draft guidelines for overhauling the country’s data infrastructure, including plans to upgrade its 5G network to the advanced 5G-A standard and promote research, development, and innovation related to 6G.
The guidelines, released by the National Data Bureau for public consultation, aim to balance the deployment of international communication gateways across the eastern, central, and western regions while expanding submarine and land cable information channels. The plan also includes establishing a satellite internet system integrating space and ground facilities.
China will facilitate large-scale, low-cost, secure data flow and encourage industries and regions to explore new technological infrastructures such as blockchain and privacy-preserving computing. This initiative aims to create a reliable, cost-effective environment for both centralised and decentralised data transactions.
Additionally, the guidelines propose a coordinated approach to computing resources, accelerating green development in general-purpose, intelligent, and supercomputing power. Emerging network technologies will be optimised, including network billing methods, with a focus on reducing data transmission costs between the eastern and western regions.
The 5G-A network offers significant improvements over the current 5G system, including peak download speeds of 10 gigabits per second, upload speeds of 1 gigabit per second, millisecond-level latency, and enhanced connectivity for the Internet of Things. Cities such as Beijing and Shanghai have already rolled out 5G-A services in some districts, showcasing its potential for nationwide adoption.