Deploy on demand: China Telecom plans to open 320,000 5G base stations in 2021

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Today, China Telecom announced its full-year results for 2020. During the reporting period, the company achieved operating revenue of RMB 393.6 billion, a year-on-year increase of 4.7%; service revenue was RMB 373.8 billion, a year-on-year increase of 4.5%, of which mobile service revenue was RMB 181.7 billion, a year-on-year increase of 3.5%; fixed-line service revenue was RMB 192.1 billion, a year-on-year increase of 5.5%; net profit was RMB 20.9 billion, a year-on-year increase of 1.6%.

China Telecom pointed out that in 2020, it continued to promote the joint construction and sharing of 5G networks, with 380,000 5G base stations in use, achieving continuous coverage of 5G networks in all cities at or above the prefecture level, key counties and cities, and important indoor buildings, with the highest peak rate reaching 2.7Gbps, ranking first in the world.

In 2020, China Telecom's 5G capital expenditure was RMB 39.2 billion, and co-construction and sharing saved both parties RMB 60 billion in capital expenditure, saving a lot of electricity bills, tower rentals, operation and maintenance costs throughout the year. In addition, 4G network sharing was carried out simultaneously, and about 170,000 shared 4G base stations were opened throughout the year, further improving network coverage and saving investment and operation and maintenance costs.

China Telecom said that it plans to spend RMB 39.7 billion on 5G-related capital expenditures in 2021, and plans to open a total of 700,000 5G base stations by the end of 2021, with 320,000 new 5G base stations built throughout the year. The goal is to expand 5G network coverage to all county towns and some townships.

China Telecom pointed out that 5G networks will be deployed on demand in 2021, and 3.5GHz will be used to expand capacity in medium and high traffic areas; 2.1GHz will be used in county towns and some townships to achieve wide coverage; and the industry's joint construction and sharing will be promoted in rural areas, railways, and highways.