China added more than 200 million 5G connections in 2020, taking its share of global 5G connections to 87 percent, according to a report released this week by an industry organization that represents the interests of mobile network operators worldwide.

The number of 5G connections in China is expected to reach 822 million by 2025, according to The Mobile Economy China, a report issued by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA).

There were 144 5G commercial networks in 57 countries and about 235 million 5G connections by the end of January.

(Photo: agencies)

Operators' capital expenditures in 2020-2025 may reach $210 billion, of which 90 percent will be used for 5G construction and development, the report said.

China has consolidated its position as one of the most developed mobile markets and the global leader in 5G technology.

The report noted the launch of 5G Stand Alone, the 5G service that does not 'stand alone' but is built over an existing 4G network.

The swift transition to 5G means that 4G adoption has now peaked in China: 4G penetration rate in China declined for the first time in 2020.

As more consumers turn to 5G services, 4G will continue to trend downwards. By 2025, 4G will account for 53 percent of total connections in China, compared to 47 percent for 5G.

Some 1.22 billion people in China subscribed to mobile services by the end of 2020, or 83 percent of the population versus the global average of 66 percent.

Mobile network applications and usage continue to grow steadily as operators expand into digital services, the report noted.

More than 990 million people in China use mobile internet services and it is estimated that by 2025, that figure will be nearly 1.2 billion people.

(Compiled by Yang Jiaqi)