China.org.cn | October 29, 2020
People.cn:
The 13th Five-Year Plan sets out precise requirements for constructing a new-generation information infrastructure. How's it going on so far? I also noticed on a message board on People.cn that some people are dissatisfied with the current development of the industry and information technology sector, and some do not understand why 5G base stations are built in residential communities. Some netizens also suggest improving relevant apps and notifications on mobile phones. What will MIIT do next? How will you improve people's satisfaction and sense of gain during the upcoming 14th Five-Year Plan period? Thank you.
Wen Ku:
Thanks for your questions. I just introduced the achievements in information and communications infrastructure made during the 13th Five-Year period. The Chinese government highly values the construction of information and communications infrastructure. Its strategies of "Broadband China" and building China's strength in cyberspace place information and communications infrastructure in an equally important position as those of water, electricity and roads.
We mobilized all sectors and the whole society to boost the construction of information and communications infrastructure. During the 13th Five-Year period, we established a principle of being moderately proactive. From copper fibers to optical fibers, from 3G to 4G, and from 4G to 5G, we have built up world-class, high-quality and economical communication networks, granting people access to all kinds of networks, technologies and applications.
First, we followed a clear path of moderately proactive construction. Since 2015, we have taken actions to speed up broadband and lower internet rates for four consecutive years and construct role-model cities to implement the "Broadband China" strategy and develop optical networks. Last year, we launched policies to raise both fixed and mobile broadband to the gigabit level and expand the number of 4G and broadband users. We published requirements for the construction of gigabit network for a hundred of cities initiative and helped improve local policies. Since the beginning of the 13th Five-Year period, we have built up the largest communications network in the world, with 4G base stations all over the country and over 80 million users of gigabit-level optical fibers. The Internet speed doubles with the upgrade of technologies and networks, as well as with the proactive construction of the infrastructure. These figures are very impressive.
Second, we provided universal services to deal with weaknesses. Since 2015, we have launched pilot universal telecommunications services in six batches, together with the finance authority. In rural areas, we have extended optical fibers to village committees, schools and hospitals and covered every corner with the 4G network; we have also offered villagers a series of preferential policies in broadband fees. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, the proportion of optical fibers in administrative villages increased from 70% to 98%, and people there enjoy the same network and speed as city residents.
Third, we speeded up IPv6 development. The development of the next-generation internet based on IPv6 is an important step and an inevitable trend and is of great long-term significance to improve internet capacity and services. The general offices of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council released an action plan for IPv6 development in 2017. Since then, with various localities, government departments and related companies working together, the upgrading of the IPv6 for fixed broadband and mobile LTE networks in China has been completed. The quality of IPv6 network is now much the same as the previous IPv4 network. In 2018, the number of users who had access to IPv6 addresses was 74 million. By September this year, it was 1.457 billion. IPv6 traffic on the LTE network is also growing rapidly, accounting for 1.7% of the total last year and jumping to 13% this September.
Next, we will shift from universal coverage to high-quality development. This work can be divided into three aspects. First, we will continue building the infrastructure for raising both fixed and mobile broadband to the gigabit level and accelerate 5G development. We will make innovations in network slicing and virtual private networks for industry, improve network coverage, promote the construction and upgrading of the gigabit-level optical fiber network and improve the overall loading capacity of communications networks. Second, we will push forward pilot projects of universal telecommunications services. On the basis of achieving the goal of winning the battle against poverty, we will continue to effectively synchronize poverty eradication with rural vitalization and further deepen network coverage in rural and remote areas, letting more villagers better enjoy the fruits of IT development. Third, we will promote innovations in application. We will focus on application innovation of 5G and gigabit-level optical fibers and dig into vertical industry demands, while encouraging broader and deeper collaborative innovation between the information and communications industry and transportation, medical care, energy, education, and other industries, so as to constantly enrich application scenarios and build an ecosystem with wide applications. That's all.
Regarding the question just now, some people do not understand why 5G base stations are built in residential communities. The most important thing is that the two sides should strengthen communications. From a technical perspective, we attach great importance to the health of the people. In terms of technical indicators, when building base stations, our requirements to limit radiation are stricter than those of other foreign countries. You can see the specific indicators from relevant standards and we are cooperating with departments concernedto strictly follow these indicators.
Regarding difficulties in building base stations in communities, we have done a lot of work. Recently, we have worked with several ministries and commissions to jointly resolve those difficulties as well as the problem of "the last 100-meters" broadband access.
Regarding the issue of not allowing entry, we have seen that it is very difficult for operating companies to resolve these difficulties. In some areas, operating companies have jointly issued certain announcements. We also regret this. Operating companies should do more work in persuading residents, and explain to them properly because many people have the need for information services.