In July, a group of Chinese telecom engineers announced a significant breakthrough: the creation of the world’s first field test network that integrates communications and intelligence. This innovative network has markedly improved key communication metrics, such as capacity, coverage, and efficiency, according to Zhang Ping, a professor at the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications and an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

“The European Union, the United States, Japan, South Korea, and other regions have all started research on 6G, but China has unique strengths,” said Wen Ku, director-general of the China Communications Standards Association. China’s progress in 5G infrastructure provides a substantial edge in exploring 6G technologies.

By the end of May, China had constructed over 3.8 million 5G base stations, representing 60 percent of the global total. This development has made China a leader in 5G technology, with over 60 percent of mobile communication users in the country now using 5G services, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Additionally, China has processed over 94,000 5G applications across various industries, including manufacturing, mining, power, ports, and healthcare, the ministry added.

The experimental network is crucial for research institutions, offering a platform for theoretical research and initial verification of 6G technologies. This platform also lowers the entry threshold for 6G research, making it more accessible for innovation, the engineers explained.

Wen highlighted the importance of advancing 5G use, likening it to building a good bridge and road for 6G. He noted that promoting large-scale 5G application will lay a solid foundation for 6G development, which is still in the early stages. Moreover, China holds an early advantage in 6G patent applications over the US and Japan. A 2021 survey by Japanese media company Nikkei and Tokyo-based research company Cyber Creative Institute found that China’s 6G patent applications accounted for 40.3 percent of the global total, topping the list. The US and Japan followed with 35.2 percent and 9.9 percent, respectively, with Europe at 8.9 percent and South Korea at 4.2 percent.

Countries with core advantages in previous-generation wireless technology are more likely to gain advantages in next-generation technology and achieve technological leadership, promoting healthy industry development, according to a research note by China Galaxy Securities.

Yang Guang, a senior chief analyst at global market research company Omdia, emphasized that China views a mobile network as essential infrastructure that needs to be built ahead of demand. “Once the road is ready, cars will come naturally,” Yang said. He added that Chinese operators, being State-owned enterprises, bear significant social responsibility. In contrast, European and US telecom operators are private enterprises, prioritizing financial performance and cost reduction, which makes them less inclined to invest in infrastructure development, Yang explained.

China has also initiated several projects to foster 6G innovation, including collaborations between leading universities, research institutions, and industry players. This strategic approach to building a robust 5G infrastructure is seen as critical for 6G development, ensuring China remains at the forefront of global telecommunications advancements.

China’s focus on developing 6G technology aligns with its broader goals of achieving technological self-reliance and leadership in the digital economy. As the world anticipates the transformative potential of 6G, China’s proactive stance in laying the groundwork for this next-generation technology underscores its commitment to maintaining a competitive edge in the global tech landscape.