China Mobile recently announced that it will team up with China Broadcasting Network (CBN) to jointly deploy a 5G network next year instead of this year, the Sina Tech news reported on August 13. China Mobile currently holds a license for the 2.6GHz and 4.9GHz frequency bands while CBN can legally use the 700MHz and 4.9GHz frequency bands with an operating permit. Under the tie-up, they will jointly invest in the construction of the 700MHz 5G network thus both have the right to access the network. They, however, will not form a joint venture. China Mobile will be in charge of operation and maintenance works of this 700MHz network with CBN paying incurred fees.
As of June 30, China Mobile registered70.2 million 5G users and built 188,000 5G base stations across over 50 cities in China. By the end of this year, China Mobile aims to reach the goal of 300,000 base stations and provide 5G commercial services in all prefecture-level and above cities in China.