China's 5G development faster than expected
Huawei Honor launched its X10 model at a starting price of 1,899 yuan, making it one of most affordable 5G models on the market.
The speed of China’s 5G development is exceeding expectations, according to industry officials, and will be a catalyst for information consumption and create more jobs.
The rapid development is thanks to wider coverage, affordable and mature 5G models and booming applications, said Huang Yuhong, vice chairman of the China Mobile Research Institute.
China Mobile, which had 140,000 5G base stations by April, aims to have 300,000 by the end of the year.
Chinese carriers are expected to invest 1.2 trillion yuan (US$171.4 billion) in 5G networks between 2020 and 2025. Information consumption will be 2 trillion yuan and new smart device consumption up to 4.5 trillion yuan, according to Zhang Yunyong, chairman of the China Unicom Research Institute.
Mobile carriers have several hundred “lighthouse” 5G industrial applications, meaning early and influential adopters. They include smart driving and remote health-care industries, said Zhang.
Honor, Huawei’s brand targeting young consumers, expects sales of its latest 5G model, the X10, to hit 10 million soon. It features Huawei’s own 5G processor and improved photographic and gaming functions, according to the company.
The X10 model costs from 1,899 yuan which Zhao Ming, Honor’s president, said is affordable for mainstream consumers.
