China is expected to be the first country in the world to reach 1 billion 5G users. And, by 2030, the country will count 1.6 billion 5G connections, accounting for nearly a third of the global total, according to “The Mobile Economy China 2023,” a report by GSMA. As a result, the technology will add $290 billion to the Chinese economy by the end of the decade.
During the Post-Mobile World Congress sharing event, the GSMA presented its annual Mobile Economy China report, featuring milestones for mobile development in the region, insights on key growth trends, industry challenges, and opportunities for global cooperation.
“Mobile connectivity served as a lifeline throughout the pandemic and will play an even more crucial role in enabling the safe return to social interaction and the restart of many economic activities,” the report said. “To this end, authorities across China have outlined plans to integrate digital technologies, underpinned by advanced mobile connectivity, into every aspect of society to sustain China’s competitiveness in an evolving global economy.”
Mainland China has a strong foundation for growth. It is already the largest 5G market in the world, accounting for more than 60 percent of global 5G connections at the end of 2022. Mobile equipment and services made up 5.5 percent of the country’s GDP, or a total of $1.1 trillion, and 5G base stations exceeded 2.3 million at the end of last year. In two years, 5G connections are expected to surpass 4G users.
In remarks made at the event, Mats Granryd, Director General of the GSMA, looked past the issues separating East and West, calling on the industry “to work together” in the exploration of where “networks meet the cloud,” the digitalisation of industries and the metaverse.
GSMA’s MWC Shanghai is planned for June 28 to 30, 2023, at the New International Expo Centre (SNIEC).
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