By Zhang Yiyi–
China is accelerating the rollout of 5G-Advanced networks across multiple cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, marking a significant leap in speed and connectivity as telecom operators enhance coverage in subways, business districts and rural areas.
The deployment of 5G-A underscores the government’s efforts to boost advanced network services for industrial upgrading, and it will play a key role in frontier sectors such as the low-altitude economy and autonomous driving, a Chinese industry veteran said.
Recently, residents in Beijing’s urban districts, as well as passengers on the Beijing Metro Line 3, have been able to access faster 5G-A networks, a rollout described by the China Unicom Beijing branch as the world’s leading metro deployment, the Global Times observed.
Shanghai’s 5G-A network has achieved targeted coverage in key areas since the China Telecom Shanghai branch launched a 5G-A user experience campaign in February. The key areas under coverage include the Lujiazui commercial hub, major venues like the Expo Center, main roads in urban districts and popular tourist spots such as Disneyland, according to Shanghai authorities.
In Hangzhou, the capital of East China’s Zhejiang Province, the city has achieved full 5G-A coverage across major scenic spots, universities and key urban areas. Mobile users can now enjoy ultra-fast 5G-A speeds in landmark locations such as the West Lake scenic area, the Hubin business district and metro stations, according to China Media Group (CMG).
5G-Advanced – also known as 5.5G – is an enhanced version of traditional 5G, Xiang Ligang, director-general of the Beijing-based Information Consumption Alliance, told the Global Times on Sunday.
“Each generation of mobile communication technology typically follows a 10-year cycle. Compared with 5G, the most noticeable upgrade with 5G-A is speed — it’s 10 times faster,” he said.
5G-A marks a shift from simple connectivity to intelligent interaction. “With integrated communication and sensing, 5G-A can enable real-time vehicle tracking, smart infrastructure and high-precision coordination across systems,” Xiang said. This represents a fundamental upgrade to how networks serve both industry and society.
The real value of 5G-A lies in high-density, high-demand scenarios. Whether in subways, stadiums or livestreaming rural marketplaces, traditional 5G networks often fall short. 5G-A ensures smoother, more reliable performance — accelerating its rollout in key areas to support both industrial upgrades and inclusive digital services, according to Xiang.
“In crowded areas like subways and concert venues, or during rural livestreaming sessions, even 5G struggles,” Xiang said. “5G-A delivers 10 times the capacity, ensuring stable, high-speed performance where it’s needed most — and that’s where the real transformation begins.”
Advances in 5G-A and augmented reality will strengthen the foundation for next-generation tech platforms, paving the way for breakthroughs like brain-computer interfaces, Xiang said. He noted that 5G-A’s integrated sensing capabilities — combining interactivity, intelligence and multisensory perception — will play a key role in frontier sectors such as the low-altitude economy and autonomous driving.
Many major telecom operators are actively rolling out 5G-A, but enhanced features won’t come at a higher cost. “There’s no need to worry about extra charges when 5G-A signals appear,” said Wang Juan, manager of the China Mobile Beijing Shijingshan Road branch as quoted by CMG. “Data usage will continue to be billed under existing plan rates.”
Experts said that China’s telecom operators have deployed 5G-A test networks across all 31 provincial-level regions, with an expected capacity to support 50 million users. The technology has also been tested and validated in regions including Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, according to CMG.
Beijing authorities have released an upgraded action plan for scaled 5G application (2025-27). According to the China Business Journal, the plan targets the construction or upgrade of more than 35,000 5G-A-enabled base stations citywide by the end of 2027, aiming for full coverage within the Fifth Ring Road and expanded 5G-A deployment in key areas and scenarios.
The number of 5G base stations in China exceeded 4.39 million as of the end of March, with the user penetration rate reaching 75.9 percent, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
