By Matthias Samuel
China has issued licenses to three telecom companies and launched 5G services for commercial use nationwide, basically, it is world’s largest 5G network.
Telecom companies including China Mobile (CHL), China Telecom (CHA) and China Unicom (CHU) are all offering 5G plans that start at 128 Yuan ($18) for 30 GB of data per month, giving internet users access to the ultra-fast services. Some of the plans issued by Chinese mobile companies are based on Internet speed rather than data allowance.
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology says, “Increasing consumer numbers and improved technology have made the cost of this feature a bit cheaper.”
China Mobile Shanghai Corporation says that two million subscribers have subscribed to this service even in limited service areas of 5G in Shanghai.
The Chinese government and mobile companies hope that the Country will become a major market for 5G service users and therefore they are taking steps to expand the service widely.
5G commercial services are now available in 50 Cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua. In Shanghai, nearly 12,000 5G base stations have been activated to support 5G coverage. Other countries including the United States and South Korea launched 5G services in select areas earlier this year. But China’s commercial network is the biggest.
However in Pakistan, Zong is providing the 5G services backed by China Mobile Communications Corporation (CMCC). Zong had launched the 5G services in August but not on a commercial level, it is just a test based service. The government of Pakistan allowed Zong to conduct a test but never gave them permission to test it on a commercial level. They were granted very basic and limited permission for three months. According to The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), four to five years are required to fully introduce this service in the Country for a commercial use.
