Connecting nation's computing networks

China's latest telecommunications blueprint is not just about building faster mobile networks, but to wire the world's second-largest economy for the artificial intelligence era — linking 5G-Advanced, future 6G, optical broadband, satellite networks and national computing power into one industrial system, an industry expert said.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology unveiled its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for the information and communication sector on Monday, calling to build a comprehensive, high-performance next-generation communications network, strengthen secure and controllable supply chains and improve network and data security governance.

By 2030, China aims for information and communications industry revenue of 4.1 trillion yuan ($610.9 billion), cumulative information infrastructure investment of 3.8 trillion yuan and average annual growth of 7 percent in telecom business volume.

It also targets research and development intensity of 4.8 percent, 50 5G and 5G-A base stations per 10,000 people, 95 percent 5G and 5G-A user penetration, more than 320 million gigabit broadband users and 6.5 billion communications-network terminal connections.

Those figures underscore a broader strategic shift. China has already built the world's largest 5G network; its next goal is to turn connectivity, computing power and data infrastructure into a single platform for industrial upgrading.

Computing power is a major pillar. The plan calls for China's intelligent computing capacity to reach 9,800 exaflops by 2030, with advanced storage capacity of 1,700 exabytes.

It also calls for faster construction of a national integrated computing network built around hub, regional and edge computing facilities, as well as better matching of computing supply and demand.

He Baohong, chief engineer at the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, or CAICT, said: "China's computing strategy is shifting from building individual computing centers to weaving resources into a nationally connected computing network. Such a system would use hub, regional and edge nodes, communications networks, power networks and unified dispatching platforms to make computing resources more accessible and efficient."

In addition, China said it will accelerate research into core 6G technologies, continue 6G trials and develop 6G base stations, core network equipment, intelligent optical transmission and access systems, as well as 6G smartphones. It also said it will launch commercial 6G services at an appropriate time.

It also highlights green development. Newly built large and hyperscale computing facilities should keep power usage effectiveness below 1.2, while carbon emissions per unit of telecom business volume should fall by 17 percent.

The plan identifies six priority tasks: building information infrastructure with moderate overcapacity, cultivating and expanding the information and communication industrial system, systematically optimizing the industry governance system, comprehensively strengthening network and data security capabilities, continuously expanding the depth and breadth of integrated applications, and steadily enhancing the industry's global development level.

The MIIT said it will ensure smooth implementation through organization and training, detailed task allocation and enhanced monitoring and evaluation.

Wang Zhiqin, vice-president of CAICT, said the 2026-30 period will be a key window for China's information and communications industry to move from scale leadership to system leadership, and the industry needs to coordinate networks, computing power, data and AI capabilities to support breakthroughs in future industries.

chengyu@chinadaily.com.cn