Wenku: We need to further explore 5G applications

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On November 6, the State Council Information Office held a press conference on the implementation of the Internet Poverty Alleviation Action. Wen Ku, spokesman for the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and director of the Information and Communications Development Department, pointed out that further exploring 5G applications is not only about exploring 5G applications in industry in urban areas, but also about 5G applications in agriculture.

Wen Ku, spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and director of the Information and Communications Development Department

(Photo courtesy of the State Council Information Office, Xu Xiang)

Wen Ku said that since 2020, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has overcome the impact of the epidemic and promoted the development of 5G in accordance with the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee and the State Council. So far, nearly 700,000 base stations have been opened. "At present, all prefecture-level cities have network coverage, and some rural areas have built 5G base stations, but from a national perspective, whether it is the 4G or even 3G era, the large-scale deployment of a new communication technology in rural areas still needs to be carried out in stages and steps." Wen Ku pointed out, "There is a gap in the construction of basic networks between cities and rural areas. It can be said that the conditions for large-scale, deep-density coverage like the 2G, 3G, and 4G coverage in the past are not yet mature. Because network construction is not achieved overnight, it is a gradual process. Our 5G construction will still be in some urban areas and rural areas with conditions and needs. We will first do some coverage, but it is not necessarily universal, comprehensive, and deep coverage."

Wen Ku said that after the network is built, if there is no terminal, the base station placed there is like an electric stove, so there must be a matching terminal. "It will take some time for 5G terminals to be popularized, especially in rural areas. It may take some time to popularize 5G terminals. In addition, the more important aspect of 5G is application. Without application, the purpose of our 5G construction cannot be achieved. Therefore, we need to further explore 5G applications, not only in urban areas, but also in agriculture. The application of 5G is also the focus of our efforts. In rural production and life, 5G will have great potential in the future. I think with the popularization of terminals and applications in the next few years, rural 5G networks will definitely be covered, and it will also come naturally." Wen Ku said