People’s Daily/GSF
This year, China has accelerated efforts to advance the application and industrial development of 6G technology. In May, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) granted the IMT-2030 (6G) Promotion Group a permit to use frequencies in the 6 GHz band for 6G technology trials. In June, a special action plan was launched to promote provincial-level pilot projects for 6G innovation and development. In July, East China’s Jiangsu Province established a 6G industry alliance, while Central China’s Hubei Province released an action plan for the innovative development of the 6G industry. These developments mark 6G’s accelerated transition from laboratory research toward field trials and industrial application.
6G is the next generation of global mobile communications technology following 5G. The approval of frequencies for 6G technology trials allows engineers to test 6G technologies in the real world, such as cities and industrial facilities, and address practical issues including signal penetration and device interference. This represents a major step toward the practical application of 6G.
So, when will ordinary users be able to use 6G?
China’s 6G technology trials are being carried out in three stages: key technology trials, technology solution trials, and system networking trials. The main objectives are to determine the key technological directions for 6G, develop 6G prototype equipment for typical application scenarios and performance requirements, and develop pre-commercial 6G equipment. The goals of the first stage have been achieved, and the second stage is now underway. Commercial deployment of 6G is expected to begin around 2030, which is when the technology will gradually enter people’s daily lives.
In China, people often want to know the timetable and roadmap for major projects and initiatives. This reflects the country’s emphasis on sound planning and effective implementation.
More than three years ago, China issued the Regulations on the Radio Frequency Allocation of the People’s Republic of China (2023 Edition), providing a reference for the global allocation of frequencies for 6G. China’s early research on the 6 GHz band and its approval of frequencies for 6G technology trials demonstrate the country’s efforts to coordinate spectrum resources through scientific planning and appropriate supply.
Combining sound planning with strong implementation has been an important factor behind the rapid development of China’s telecommunications industry. It will also remain crucial as the country continues to advance toward the next stage of technological innovation.
From the construction of rural road networks and urban renewal to the development of East China’s Xiong’an New Area, planning has consistently been given a prominent role in major projects. During the construction of Xiong’an, efforts were made to ensure that land use was carefully planned before construction began. Mechanisms for controlling the overall architectural style were established, while digital simulation was introduced to preview construction plans. These measures have helped ensure that individual buildings and roads are integrated into the overall landscape. These demonstrate that the formulation and successive implementation of China’s five-year plans is “an important political advantage of socialism with Chinese characteristics.”
Meanwhile, in 2025, China added 588,000 5G base stations, bringing the total number to 4.838 million. More than 330 cities achieved 5G-Advanced (5G-A) network coverage.
Does the development of 6G mean that 5G infrastructure will have little role to play in the 6G era? The answer is no.
The “new-generation communications network,” one of the six major types of networks, involves not only building new networks with new technologies, but also upgrading existing ones. A team led by Zhang Ping, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, has verified the feasibility of achieving 6G-level transmission capabilities over 4G and 5G links using semantic communications technology. The team is exploring a new path toward achieving 6G performance targets with lower-frequency bands and narrower bandwidths.
These efforts are in line with the direction and principles set out in the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030).
The evolution of mobile communications technology has continuously lowered barriers to access and helped bridge the digital divide, enabling many people who once found digital technologies difficult to use to enjoy greater convenience and embrace digital life.
What changes will 6G bring to our lives? Some can be anticipated, while many others are difficult to predict precisely. What we can be sure of is that, by keeping technology inclusive and working for the public good, and by combining sound planning with precise implementation, innovation-driven development will continue to advance on a firmer footing and open up broader horizons.
(Compiled by Ge Weiqin)