The Chinese government has made strategic decisions this year regarding the planning and construction of "six major networks." At a press conference held by the State Council Information Office on July 20, Xie Cun, Director of the Information and Communications Administration at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), stated that the ministry is actively conducting research on the development of next-generation communication networks. The "new" aspects of these networks are primarily defined by four key dimensions.
Specifically, Xie Cun elaborated that the first dimension involves an expansion of connected entities, moving beyond traditional individual users to encompass a diverse range of subjects including people, machines, objects, and embodied intelligence. Secondly, the coverage scope will break through conventional terrestrial limitations, extending towards an integrated, all-domain coverage encompassing space, air, ground, and sea. Thirdly, connection capabilities will see significant improvements in areas like determinism and stability, better meeting the differentiated needs of various industrial applications. Fourthly, network functions will evolve from simple information transmission to a deep convergence of multiple capabilities such as communication, sensing, computing, intelligence, and security.
"It can be said that the next-generation communication network is not merely an upgrade of traditional networks but represents a crucial innovation in digital information infrastructure for the intelligent era," Xie Cun remarked.
Data shows that as of the end of June, China had built 5.102 million 5G base stations and possessed 32.86 million 10G-PON ports capable of providing gigabit network services. The commercial deployment of 5G-Advanced networks is progressing actively, with 10-gigabit optical networks being piloted in scenarios such as residential communities, factories, and industrial parks. The scale of intelligent computing power has reached 2185 EFLOPS, marking a year-on-year increase of 177%. The variety of intelligent terminals based on 5G continues to expand, with products like AI-powered smartphones and computers, intelligent robots, AI glasses, and AI toys becoming new hotspots in information consumption.
It is reported that in the next phase, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology will prioritize the planning and construction of next-generation communication networks as a key driver for the development of the information and communications industry. Leveraging the implementation of the industry's 15th Five-Year Plan, the ministry will deepen research, strengthen coordination, and refine policies, focusing on three main areas of work.
Regarding Network Construction and Deployment, efforts will involve coordinated advancement in building foundational networks, space-based networks, international networks, and converged networks. This includes promoting the large-scale commercial use of 5G-Advanced and 10-gigabit optical networks, continuously increasing the reach of international submarine cable routes, accelerating the construction of new industrial networks, and forming an infrastructure system that meets the needs of the intelligent economy and society.
Regarding Industrial Support and Empowerment, the focus will be on strengthening core technological innovation and breakthroughs in areas like 6G mobile communications, ultra-high-speed optical communication, submarine optical cables, and satellite communications. Efforts will accelerate the development of related products to support the high-quality construction and deployment of next-generation networks. The ministry will emphasize the role of enterprises as the main drivers of technological innovation and leverage the functions of industrial platforms, research institutes, and industry associations to achieve efficient synergy between the innovation chain and the industrial chain.
Regarding Application Innovation and Promotion, the ministry will deepen the application of 5G and gigabit optical networks in key industries, innovating new application scenarios and models. It will promote the integrated development of brain-computer interfaces, embodied intelligence, intelligent connected vehicles with 5G-Advanced/6G, and satellite internet. By leveraging the foundational digital support role of next-generation communication networks, the ministry aims to collaboratively empower integrated application innovations in water networks, new power grids, computing power networks, urban underground pipeline networks, and logistics networks.