During a press conference held on October 23, Zhao Zhiguo, the spokesperson and Chief Engineer of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, highlighted the steady growth of China’s information and communication industry throughout this year. According to Zhao, revenue from emerging telecom services reached 325.2 billion yuan in the first three quarters, marking a 9.4% increase year-on-year and showcasing a continuing trend of rapid growth.

Zhao emphasized that the telecom sector is experiencing significant expansion. By the end of September, the total volume of telecom services had increased by 10.7% compared to the previous year. From January to August, major internet and related service companies achieved an internet business revenue of 1.17 trillion yuan. Emerging services such as internet data centers, big data, and cloud computing are now key drivers of the industry’s development. Furthermore, the Ministry has initiated a pilot program aimed at expanding access to value-added telecom services, with approvals granted for pilot regions including Beijing, Shanghai, Hainan, and Shenzhen. The Ministry welcomes foreign investment in China’s telecom sector.

The optimization of network capabilities has also continued this year. Zhao noted that the Ministry has adhered to a principle of proactive development, implementing policies for light-weight 5G (RedCap) integration and coordinating the advancement of new information infrastructure. The total number of 5G base stations built has reached 4.089 million, while the number of Gigabit-capable 10G PON ports stands at 27.32 million. New international communication business hubs have been established in cities like Nanning, Qingdao, Kunming, and Haikou, which will further enhance the quality of national network services. Additionally, a special initiative to upgrade signal quality is underway, focusing on improving user experience through better coverage in key areas such as tourism sites, healthcare facilities, and universities.

Zhao also discussed the steady improvement in the industry’s overall strength. Notably, major Chinese operators like China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom have entered the top ten global telecom operators in terms of revenue. There are now 24 platform companies valued over $10 billion, and 8 publicly listed companies rank among the top 30 global internet firms by market capitalization. The telecommunications equipment manufacturing sector is also thriving, with domestic smartphone shipments reaching 220 million units from January to September, showing a 9.9% year-on-year increase. Key technology breakthroughs are accelerating, with over 15,000 applications and services now available on the HarmonyOS NEXT platform.

When it comes to enriching public life through telecommunications, Zhao emphasized the role of universal service initiatives like “Broadband Frontier,” which have brought reliable internet access to rural and remote areas. Currently, broadband connectivity has been achieved in every village, with over 300 million rural internet users. The Ministry is actively addressing pressing public concerns by launching pragmatic initiatives, such as creating a public service platform for app testing and certification to standardize industry practices. More than 200,000 “Senior Digital Classrooms” have been organized to educate older adults in using smart devices, online payments, and fraud prevention, ensuring that broader segments of society can benefit from digital advancements.

Looking ahead, Zhao outlined the Ministry’s commitment to further enhancing the information and communication industry to support the construction of a strong manufacturing base, robust network infrastructure, and a digital China. Key future initiatives include:

1. Upgrading network facilities by promptly rolling out policies for dual Gigabit (5G and Gigabit optical networks) development, piloting 10G optical networks, and continuing initiatives like “Broadband Frontier” and signal enhancement actions.

2. Accelerating research and development in core technologies to further the evolution of 5G (5G-A), non-terrestrial networks (NTN), and fostering innovations in fields such as 6G, artificial intelligence, and quantum information.

3. Promoting deeper integration with the real economy by introducing policies for large-scale 5G applications and high-quality industrial internet development, alongside establishing pilot projects for “5G + Industrial Internet” applications.

4. Balancing development with security by advancing data security measures and continuously improving the safety of information infrastructure.

5. Expanding high-level openness in the telecommunications sector, encouraging foreign companies to undertake internet data center (IDC) and internet service provider (ISP) operations in pilot areas, and ensuring the protection of foreign investment rights.

Zhao concluded by expressing a commitment to taking the telecommunications industry to a new level of openness and development.