What is missing from the 5G development of radio and television? The fourth largest operator faces four challenges

At the beginning of 2020, there are constant news about China Radio and Television's 5G network. Whether it is the establishment of a 5G joint venture with the State Grid or the acquisition of a 4.9GHz frequency license, China Radio and Television, as the fourth largest operator, has been at the center of attention. Compared with the three traditional operators, China Radio and Television faces the following four challenges in its 5G business.

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Golden frequencies need to be integrated from more than 350 radio and television bureaus

The 700MHz low-frequency band is the trump card for radio and television to develop 5G. Compared with the 2515MHz-2675MHz and 4800MHz-4900MHz bands obtained by China Mobile, the 3500MHz-3600MHz obtained by China Unicom, and the 3400MHz-3500MHz obtained by China Telecom, the lower frequency band has more advantages in base station coverage, and building fewer base stations can achieve a wider coverage area.

However, due to historical reasons, the 700MHz frequency band has been allocated to the transmission centers of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television and local radio and television stations across the country. Its use rights are scattered among more than 350 radio and television bureaus and more than 2,000 radio and television organizations across the country. Integration work is a top priority.

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No money to build a base station

At a time when the three major operators have officially covered 5G networks in hot spots in major cities, China Radio and Television’s first 5G base station was officially opened in Changsha, Hunan in November 2019.

In order to build a nationwide 5G network, the construction cost of base stations is too much for radio and television to bear. According to data from 2019, my country has opened 126,000 5G base stations, and 52 cities have been covered by 5G networks. In that year, China Mobile invested 24 billion yuan in 5G construction; China Unicom invested 8 billion yuan in 5G construction; and China Telecom invested 9 billion yuan in 5G construction. For Guandian, facing such a huge investment, there are two words to put it simply: no money!

Faced with this situation, the natural thought is to find a big player with money and resources to develop 5G together, so the State Grid came on the scene.

The way that China Radio and Television and State Grid came together is simple. State Grid will jointly build a 5G network by establishing a joint venture with China Radio and Television, with an estimated investment of between 60.6 billion yuan and 83.4 billion yuan. Using the funds from State Grid, 5G base stations will be installed on transmission towers, and a significant discount can be obtained in terms of electricity charges. Through these three points, China Radio and Television will accelerate its own 5G construction.

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Co-build and share base stations with China Mobile

In addition, the 4.9GHz frequency band that has just been licensed is the same as China Mobile's 5G test frequency, so it is possible to build base stations with China Mobile and share 5G signals. In this way, it is possible to use the resources of the State Grid to build base stations in the 700MHz frequency band and build and share with China Mobile in the 4.9GHz frequency band, reducing its own investment.

Competing with the three major operators for professional talents

Another weakness of China Radio and Television compared with the three traditional operators is the lack of relevant talents. You know, 5G network cannot be completed by building base stations alone, but also involves core network construction, bearer network construction, base station construction, network management and support system construction, security system construction and other aspects. The three major operators have been deeply involved in this field for more than 20 years. In comparison, China Radio and Television’s entry into the 5G market is a cross-border behavior, and there is a great shortage of relevant talents.

Operational experience from zero to 5G

Have you ever seen a radio and television business hall? Taking Beijing as an example, the most common radio and television system business hall is the "Gehua Cable" business hall. In local areas, it is the xx Cable business hall. These radio and television business halls will shoulder the responsibility of radio and television 5G services in the 5G era. The number of these business halls is far from comparable to the number of business halls of the three major operators.

Moreover, the radio and television business halls mainly operate cable TV and fixed-line broadband services, and are still blank in terms of mobile network operations. How to provide services to users in the future, or how to resolve disputes with users? How to promote their own 5G services in the market, and snatch more users from the three major operators, etc., these are capabilities that the radio and television business halls do not have at present.

Conclusion

Compared with the three major operators, although the 5G of China Radio and Television still has the above shortcomings. Of course, the construction of China Radio and Television's 5G network is more than the above four points. Although it faces various difficulties, users undoubtedly have more choices. Come on, China Radio and Television!