China Unicom Beijing and Huawei have announced a revolutionary development in the 5G landscape with the launch of the world’s first large-scale integrated 5G-Advanced intelligent network. This milestone, celebrated at the “5G Capital on the Way – Lighting Up Beijing with 5G-Advanced” event, marks a significant leap forward in network technology, offering unprecedented connectivity speeds, enhanced user experiences, and transformative applications across Beijing.
The newly deployed 5G-Advanced network sets a global benchmark for smart connectivity, encompassing a wide range of environments—from public venues to scenic areas. By integrating both high- and low-band spectrums, the network provides exceptional speed and reliability, enabling innovative services in everything from immersive media to smart city applications. With major installations in places like the Workers’ Stadium and the Great Wall scenic area, this network is positioning Beijing at the forefront of 5G innovation.
The newly integrated 5G-Advanced network covers over 10 million residents and visitors across Beijing, offering robust 5G coverage with 85% of the area within the city’s 4th Ring Road benefiting from 5G-Advanced capabilities. With a highly scalable three-component carrier (3CC) setup, this network seamlessly integrates both high- and low-frequency spectrums, ensuring optimized performance across diverse urban and residential environments. Key locations, including metro stations, stadiums, schools, and commercial districts, now enjoy high-speed, low-latency connectivity, creating a more connected and efficient city.
This deployment sets a new industry standard by enabling next-gen services such as ultra-HD video streaming, immersive cloud gaming, and high-definition live broadcasting, which demand fast, stable, and reliable connections. Even traditional urban infrastructure, such as old phone booths, has been upgraded to the new 5G-Advanced network, offering users quick access to navigation, ride-hailing services, and emergency assistance.
A major highlight of this network deployment is the integration of a 10-gigabit 5G-Advanced network at the iconic Workers’ Stadium in Beijing. The network is designed to accommodate up to 68,000 spectators simultaneously, providing seamless, high-speed access for all users. With impressive downlink speeds of up to 11.2 Gbps and uplink rates of 4 Gbps, users can enjoy uninterrupted access to data-heavy services like UHD video streaming and interactive applications.
The Workers’ Stadium now becomes a model for large-scale event connectivity, demonstrating the power of 5G-Advanced to transform the entertainment and live event industries. With this setup, visitors can stream high-quality content, engage in real-time experiences, and interact with cutting-edge digital services during major events, setting the stage for future stadiums and arenas worldwide.
The Great Wall scenic area in Yanqing District is also benefiting from this next-gen network, with the deployment of 10-gigabit 5G-Advanced base stations. This pioneering infrastructure enables air-ground integrated communications, providing continuous, high-quality connectivity both on the ground and in low-altitude airspace (below 300 meters). This makes the Great Wall one of the first places in the world to benefit from such a comprehensive low-altitude network.
This network is designed to support the emerging low-altitude economy, which includes applications like drone-based logistics, aerial tourism, and high-altitude environmental monitoring. The development will enable new business models, increase operational efficiency, and ensure safety for both visitors and businesses in the area. Furthermore, it represents a significant step toward the creation of a smart tourism ecosystem, where connectivity enhances user experiences and supports real-time services.
One of the most significant advancements in this network deployment is the introduction of AI-driven network automation. China Unicom Beijing has implemented a self-provisioning system for 5G-Advanced sites, dramatically reducing installation times from several days to just minutes. This self-provisioning process, which requires no manual intervention, minimizes potential errors and cybersecurity risks, allowing the network to scale quickly and efficiently.
Additionally, the 5G-Advanced network uses AI to optimize performance in real-time, adjusting the network to meet changing user demands and service requirements. By automatically tuning base stations and other network components, the system ensures that users always have access to the best possible service. This AI-powered optimization is part of a broader trend toward smarter, more automated networks that are better equipped to handle the complexities of modern urban environments.
The deployment of this world-first 5G-Advanced intelligent network places Beijing firmly at the forefront of the global digital revolution. As the city continues to evolve into a smart, interconnected urban hub, this network will drive a range of innovations across various sectors, from entertainment and education to transportation and healthcare. With cutting-edge infrastructure, AI-driven automation, and low-altitude connectivity capabilities, the Beijing network is a model for future smart cities worldwide.
Yang Lifan, Deputy General Manager of China Unicom Beijing, highlighted the importance of the 10-gigabit network, stating: “By providing a 10-gigabit network, we can ensure an exceptional experience for all users. This deployment of 5G-Advanced will help us provide a faster, more reliable service to our users and set the foundation for future technological advancements.” Li Jie, President of Huawei’s 5G<E TDD Domain, emphasized the ongoing partnership between China Unicom and Huawei, saying: “Huawei is committed to supporting China Unicom in building leading-edge 5G-Advanced networks. Together, we will continue to innovate and drive the development of smart cities and connected ecosystems.”
With the launch of this transformative network, Beijing is set to become a global leader in 5G technology, paving the way for a new era of digital connectivity. The city’s infrastructure is evolving rapidly, supported by this advanced 5G network that will enable smart cities, intelligent transportation systems, and immersive media experiences in ways never before possible.
The successful rollout of this large-scale 5G-Advanced network not only sets a benchmark for other cities to follow but also highlights the potential of 5G to drive economic growth, technological innovation, and societal advancement. As Beijing embraces the future of mobile connectivity, it sets the stage for a new digital landscape where connectivity is more than just faster—it’s smarter, more reliable, and more transformative than ever.
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