China Unicom is set to accelerate its 5G-Advanced (5G-A) deployment, targeting 300 cities by 2025. The rollout began with pilot projects in major cities and plans to cover urban areas of 39 cities by mid-year. This ambitious initiative underscores China Unicom’s commitment to enhancing its network infrastructure.
The company’s focus lies in enhancing three key capabilities: enhanced mobile broadband, massive machine-type communications, and ultra-reliable low-latency communications. It also aims to push forward three technological innovations, namely integrated communication and sensing, integrated terrestrial and satellite networks, and integrated communication with artificial intelligence.
The extensive infrastructure supports unprecedented 5G-A speeds of 5Gbps to 10Gbps. China Unicom has already deployed a 10Gbps network at significant venues like the Asian Winter Games, ensuring high-speed connectivity for athletes, staff, and spectators. These advancements facilitate superior media broadcasting, including multi-channel HD streams and VR content, plus AI-powered network optimization for optimal performance.
In November 2024, in conjunction with Huawei, China Unicom unveiled what they claimed to be the first large-scale integrated 5G-Advanced intelligent network. Huawei emphasized, “The network supports a 5G-Advanced smart commercial complex, with high- and low-band integrated networking.”
China Unicom has achieved full 5G coverage and substantial 5G-Advanced coverage across Beijing, enhancing services such as immersive video, UHD live streaming, and cloud gaming. The network prominently covers areas like the Workers’ Stadium, metro stations, and residential hubs, capable of serving up to 68,000 simultaneous 1080p video streams, thanks to peak downlink rates of 11.2 Gbps.
At the scenic Great Wall area, a partnership with the Beijing Yanqing District Government enabled a 10Gbps network to provide continuous coverage on the ground and lower airspace. This caters to diverse applications in tourism, logistics, and emergency rescue, expanding operational scenarios.
China Unicom’s collaboration with Huawei at the Workers’ Stadium resulted in a robust 5G-Advanced network with extensive inside and outside site deployments. The focus on coupling mid-band, millimeter wave, and TDD_FDD bandwidth creates a strong foundation for advanced connectivity solutions.