China to launch 5G services today

China’s three state telecoms yesterday announced the roll-out 5G mobile phone services, marking a key step in Beijing’s ambitions to become a technology superpower at a time when it remains locked in trade tensions with Washington.

China Mobile’s, China Unicom and China Telecom’s said on their websites and online stores that 5G plans, which start from as low as 128 yuan a month, will be available from Friday, allowing Chinese consumers nationwide to use the ultra-fast mobile internet service.

Authorities have said that they plan to install over 50,000 5G base stations across 50 Chinese cities by the end of this year including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou, which are already covered by the 5G network.