Ningbo rolls out plan to boost 5G development

A 5G-enabled robot is operational in a factory in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/WeChat account: nbfb0574]

Ningbo in East China's Zhejiang province recently rolled out a five-year action plan to develop its 5G industry, setting the goal of building the city into a national model in 5G application and industrial development.

According to the plan, Ningbo will strive to increase the revenue of 5G-related industries in the city to above 180 billion yuan ($27.7 billion) and build more than 20 5G-enabled factories by 2025.

In addition, it will facilitate the integration of 5G and industrial internet technology. Over 40,000 5G base stations will be built across Ningbo by 2025, achieving full coverage of 5G signals in the whole city and large-scale commercial use.

As of September, Ningbo had constructed more than 13,000 5G base stations, with signals covering its key townships or above.

The plan also stated that the city will strengthen innovation in 5G materials, components, and software, as well as facilitate the application of the superfast network in fields like manufacturing, consumption, ports, logistics, medical care, and agriculture.

A report released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology in September ranked Ningbo first among 36 major cities, including provincial capitals and municipalities with independent planning status in China, in terms of urban network quality.