Ambitious 5G base station plan for 2025
With 4.19 million 5G base stations already in operation, the industry regulator said that "promoting 5G revolution and 6G innovation will be one of the priorities" next year.
2027 master plan – a second 'Set Sail' 5G expansion plan aims for 85% 5G penetration and 75% of network traffic on 5G. The total number of 5G base stations in China reached 4.486 million as of the end of May (2025), according to data released by the country's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).
China Mobile, the world's largest mobile carrier in terms of subscribers, had previously outlined plans to deploy 340,000 additional 5G base stations in 2025. With these new 5G deployments, China Mobile's total 5G base stations will reach nearly 2.8 million by the end of 2025.
They help fill coverage gaps, improve network reliability, and handle high data traffic. In cities, more than 60% of 5G base stations are small cells, placed on rooftops, lampposts, and building facades. These mini base stations are crucial for delivering consistent 5G speeds in crowded areas like stadiums, shopping malls, and business districts.
One of the biggest challenges with 5G is its energy consumption. A typical 5G base station consumes three times more power than a 4G station. This is due to the need for higher frequencies, greater bandwidth, and more antennas to ensure connectivity.
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