Large-scale replication is the key to the development of 5G industry applications

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recently held a "National 5G Industry Application Large-Scale Development On-site Meeting" in Guangdong. The purpose of the MIIT's organizing this on-site meeting is very clear, that is, to "set examples and find typical cases" in 5G industry applications and comprehensively promote the commercialization of 5G industry applications. At the meeting, Xiao Yaqing, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, clearly pointed out that it is necessary to accelerate the replication and promotion of 5G applications, strengthen cross-departmental, cross-industry, and cross-field collaboration, and accelerate the establishment of a win-win development model of joint product innovation, joint value creation, and joint benefit sharing.

[[413980]]

In the two years since 5G was put into commercial use, with the rapid advancement of network construction, domestic 5G has formed a systematic advantage, and 5G applications have achieved a breakthrough from "0 to 1". At present, my country has entered the second stage of 5G development-the "1 to N" scale replication stage. In order to achieve a breakthrough in this stage as soon as possible, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and ten other ministries and commissions officially released the "5G Application "Sailing" Action Plan (2021-2023)" (hereinafter referred to as the "Action Plan"). The "Action Plan" clearly states that by 2023, the depth and breadth of 5G applications in key areas will be doubled. The penetration rate of 5G in large industrial enterprises must exceed 35%, the penetration rate of individual users must exceed 40%, and the number of 5G demonstration application benchmarks in each key industry must exceed 100.

It can be said that China's 5G development goals for the next three years are very clear, and the determination to achieve this goal is also very strong. However, how to achieve this goal is still facing very great challenges. Xie Cun, Director of the Information and Communications Development Department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, clearly pointed out that 5G applications are still facing three problems:

• First, the shortcomings of the industry have yet to be addressed. There are many links and a long process from technology research and development to industrialization.
• Second, the driving effect of applications is insufficient, and we need to accelerate the promotion of demonstration applications with solid foundations, clear models and broad prospects;
• Third, the application ecosystem needs to mature faster. 5G converged applications are comprehensive solutions, and a stable application industry ecosystem has not yet been formed.

To solve these three problems, technology should be left to technology, industry to industry, and all parties in the 5G industry chain should work together. However, how to replicate the existing relatively mature demonstration applications on a large scale is a key step in the development of 5G industry applications. This is what Director Xie Cun said, "promote the accelerated promotion of demonstration applications with solid foundations, clear models and broad prospects."

How to take this step? The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is now "setting up models and finding typical cases". At this on-site meeting, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology organized more than 30 companies to showcase the results of large-scale development of 5G industry applications. The delegates also conducted on-site investigations of 5G applications in Mawan Port, Skyworth Technology Industrial Park, BYD Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Power Supply Bureau Pengcheng Substation, and Huawei Tuanbowa Factory.

To replicate on a large scale, we need to make breakthroughs in technical standards and industry standards. 5G empowers all industries, but the needs of all industries are different. Therefore, the formulation of 5G application standards for each industry is particularly important. At present, some industry associations and the communications industry are actively promoting the formulation of 5G application standards in their industries. Only when the standards are determined can industry applications develop greatly.

To replicate on a large scale, we must give full play to the role of important industries and industry leaders. The demonstration and driving role of these important industries and industry leaders is obvious, but the premise is that the leaders must use 5G and embrace 5G. There are many sayings in the industry that 5G cannot drive the industry, but in the context of digital transformation, old industries and enterprises must also catch up with the digital wave and are willing to make a leap with 5G. Only by solving the pain points of these industries and enterprises can 5G take root. This requires operators and 5G solution providers to go deep into the industry and understand the industry. Simply emphasizing the characteristics of 5G's large bandwidth, high speed, and low latency will not solve the problem.

To replicate on a large scale, strong policy support is needed. 5G empowers thousands of industries. In fact, for these industries, it is a "technical transformation". The "technical transformation" of general industries has costs and risks. For many companies, the cost issue is a big problem. And launching 5G may not bring immediate benefits. Moreover, the application of 5G in most industries is still in the exploratory stage. Video surveillance is one of the main application scenarios and has not yet penetrated into the core links of production. Therefore, in order to solve the worries of these companies, local governments should introduce more support policies and even financial support to enable old companies to vigorously implement 5G "technical transformation". Only in this way can 5G be fully implemented.