A three-year plan to elevate the 5G-A applications capabilities of Shanghai was recently released by its communications administration, local news portal The Paper reported on Dec 4.

The Shanghai 5G-A Application Empowerment Upgrade Action Plan (2024-26) focuses on the transition from 5G to 5G-A, integrating it seamlessly with artificial intelligence and other digital technologies.

It's envisioned that by 2026 Shanghai will be operating a comprehensive development framework characterized by "universal capacity, widespread applications and inclusive empowerment".

Key objectives include the large-scale application of 5G, the accelerated adoption of 5G-A and deeper integration of 5G-A with artificial intelligence.

Key targets for 2026:

-5G personal user penetration rate: Exceeding 90 percent.

-5G-A users: Reaching 5 million.

-Share of 5G network access traffic: Aiming to achieve 90 percent.

- 5G technology adoption in large and medium-sized industrial enterprises: Achieving a 50 percent penetration rate.

- 5G-enabled factories: Establishing over 200.

- Internet of Things: Expanding 5G RedCap deployment with over 1 million terminal connections.

The plan also specifies Shanghai's role to lead the formulation of 5G-A industry and national standards, focusing on specialized networks for video, the IoT, vehicles networking and other key applications.

It also aims to bolster the supply of critical components, such as chip modules, industry terminals and virtual private networks, while fostering the creation of terminal module products for innovative industry.

To expand 5G coverage, the plan targets:

- 50 5G base stations per 10,000 people.

- 100 percent 5G coverage of natural villages.

- 32,000 newly built or upgraded 5G-A 3CC base stations: Offering peak speeds of 500Mbps/5Gbps at the neighborhood level.

- Citywide full-band coverage of 5G RedCap.

- 2,000 industry virtual private networks and 1,000 edge intelligent computing nodes.

All in all, Shanghai is aiming to strengthen its 5G applications ecosystem – prioritizing such areas as new industrialization, marine modernization, the low-altitude economy and vehicles networking.

The plan also supports the growth of 5G solution providers and encourages the creation of demonstration projects with national significance, in order to foster innovation and drive technological progress forwards.

Source: thepaper.cn