China Unicom to Deploy 5G-Advanced in Over 300 Cities by 2025
China Unicom has officially unveiled its 5G-Advanced Action Plan at the Powering the Asian Winter Games with 10 Gbps Connectivity press conference in Harbin. The event gathered industry leaders, academics, and media representatives as the telecom giant detailed its ambitious plan to enhance 5G networks across China. As the official communications and cloud service partner of the 9th Asian Winter Games, China Unicom is committed to advancing network infrastructure and driving digital transformation across multiple industries.
China Unicom’s 5G-Advanced Expansion Strategy
Under the newly announced action plan, China Unicom will roll out 5G-Advanced services in central areas of 39 key cities and establish coverage in over 300 additional cities by the end of 2025. The plan includes two major initiatives:
- The 5G-Advanced Xinghuo Program – Focused on industry-specific applications.
- The 5G-Advanced Baichuan Program – Dedicated to AI-driven applications.
Additionally, China Unicom will spearhead the formation of a device ecosystem alliance to promote converged innovation and strengthen industry collaboration. Currently, the company operates over 2 million 5G base stations, representing 40% of the world's total 5G base stations, serving 290 million users.
Wang Limin, Deputy General Manager of China Unicom, emphasized the importance of 5G-Advanced and F5G-Advanced technologies in providing high-speed, intelligent, and secure 10 Gbps connectivity for the Asian Winter Games. He reiterated China Unicom’s commitment to working with industry partners to expand the 5G-Advanced ecosystem and contribute to China’s digital transformation.
Huawei’s Role in 5G-Advanced and AI Integration
Cao Ming, Vice President of Huawei and President of Huawei Wireless Solutions, highlighted the growing synergy between 5G-Advanced and AI. He noted that 5G-Advanced would transform traditional mobile services by enhancing network capabilities and introducing new applications.
Huawei is focusing on two key areas:
- Networks for AI – Enhancing spectrum efficiency, optimizing network performance, and reducing operational costs.
- AI for Networks – Utilizing digital sites and wireless AI agents to develop Level 4 Autonomous Networks for higher efficiency and quality.
"Huawei and China Unicom will continue to collaborate on technological innovation, network development, and application deployment to accelerate the 5G-Advanced industry," said Cao Ming.
China Unicom’s 5G-Advanced Network at the Asian Winter Games
As a key partner of the 9th Asian Winter Games, China Unicom has deployed a 10 Gbps 5G-Advanced network at major venues. Supported by a 1,000-member network assurance team, the infrastructure will provide:
- High-speed connectivity for athletes, staff, and spectators.
- Enhanced media broadcasting, including multi-channel HD live streaming and VR broadcasting.
- AI-powered network optimization for seamless performance.
This milestone event marks a crucial step in China Unicom’s 5G-Advanced journey, reinforcing its role in global telecom innovation. The company plans to continue leveraging advanced technologies to support major events, drive digital transformation, and expand the future of intelligent connectivity.
China Unicom and Huawei’s 5G-Advanced Innovations
In November 2024, China Unicom Beijing and Huawei launched the world’s first large-scale integrated 5G-Advanced intelligent network. This commercial three-component carrier (3CC) network covers Beijing’s central district, Workers’ Stadium, and the Great Wall scenic area, supporting:
- Immersive video experiences
- UHD shallow compression
- Low-altitude tourism applications
With self-provisioning and self-optimization features, this project showcases how 5G-Advanced is evolving into a reality, paving the way for future advancements in AI-driven telecommunications and smart city development.
