China's three government-owned wireless carriers debuted 5G mobile phone services on Thursday, a milestone in the country's drive to become a technology power even as it remains locked in a trade war with the U.S.
China Mobile Ltd., the country's largest carrier, unveiled its network in 50 cities including Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, with packages priced as low as 128 yuan ($18) a month. Also at comparable rates, Rivals China Telecom Corp. and China Unicom Hong Kong Ltd. launched their offerings.
The carriers planned to launch the networks next year but intensified the deployment just as the U.S. plunged into a blockade of China-based 5G manufacturer of equipment and technology company Huawei Technologies Co.
Operators in the U.S. launched 5G in areas of some cities without using Huawei devices, while South Korea unveiled the edition in March, while China would soon become the largest provider owing to its enormous population and corporate investment.
"While some other countries launched 5G services earlier this year, on Friday, China will have the world's largest commercial 5G network," Chris Lane and other Sanford C. Bernstein analysts said late Wednesday in a customer note.
"The size of their network and the cost of their 5G mobile network offerings will have a critical effect throughout the supply chain."
Originally, local media reported that providers will make 5G mobile service accessible starting Friday. These three network carriers were already providing access to the service as of Thursday morning.
Chinese users - with more than 10 million already pre-registered for the 5G deployment - will have links to smoother videos and sports, more apps of virtual reality, and better performance and connectivity for mobile video conferencing.
For the biggest consumers, China Mobile's 5G services are priced close to 4G contracts that go up to 588 yuan a month.
Next, full coverage will be provided to the largest cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. This year, the three operators have planned a total capital expenditure of 302 billion yuan.
Especially important for Huawei is the size of implementing 5G network services throughout mainland China in the midst of market dominance on the largest business landscape in the world that mitigate the impact of a U.S. campaign against other countries deploying Huawei devices, which it suspects of posing a threat to safety.
In July, despite U.S. pressure, Huawei said it had signed more than 60 commercial contracts to deliver 5G mobile networks worldwide, including at least 28 in Europe.
