China rolls out 718,000 5G base stations, with internet connections extending to outlying regions: MIIT
Global Times
1608017886000

Aerial photo taken on April 15, 2020 shows workers working at the construction site of a 5G base station at Chongqing Hi-tech Zone in Chongqing, southwest China. (Photo: Xinhua)

China has rolled out 718,000 5G base stations throughout the country, mostly scattered in the large and medium-size cities, including 330,000 shared among the country's four major telecom operators, said Liu Liehong, the vice director of Ministry of Industry and Information Technology ( MIIT) on Tuesday.

During an In-depth Observation Session held by China Academy of Information and Communication Technology (CAICT) on Tuesday, Liu provided an overview of China's 5G construction through an online video clip, revealing that China has built the world's largest 5G mobile network.

Portability services are operating smoothly, which means users can shift from one telecom operator to another without changing numbers. The nationwide number of portability users has exceeded 17 million, said Liu.

Liu also noted that a breakthrough in 4G base stations, penetrating to the country's remote outlying regions, improving internet connection and telecommunication infrastructure which has assisted the country to prevent and control a resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic.