Chinese Phone Operators May Start Selling 5G Plans This Week

DOU SHICONG

(Yicai Global) June 4 — China may have its first fifth-generation wireless network data plan sold as early as this week as the related permits appear to be forthcoming sooner than expected.

The first 5G operator license may be issued as early as this week, much before the expected early October, the Shanghai Securities News reported, citing an industry analyst. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said on its website yesterday that such permits will be issued in the near future.

Foreign companies, including Nokia, Ericsson, Intel and Qualcomm, have been deeply involved in the technical trial phase, the ministry announced. The institution will continue to welcome domestic and foreign companies to actively participate in the construction of 5G, it added.

Most of China’s administrative regions have successfully completed their first 5G phone calls, and the number of base stations has exceeded 530,000, incomplete data show. China’s three biggest phone operators are expected to roll out 5G services on a large scale after obtaining permits.

Editor: Emmi Laine