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China’s 4G users outnumber total U.S. population

(People's Daily Online)    16:46, December 25, 2015
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According to the latest data released by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the number of China's 4G users totaled 356 million as of November this year, outnumbering the total U.S. population.

After being launched in 2014, the 4G network rapidly expanded its dominance. Data show that new subscribers in 2015 alone approached the 2013 U.S. population of 315 million. The total number of 4G subscribers in China is estimated to exceed 380 million by the end of this year.

Replacing 3G, 4G is rising as an important new market. According to data recently released by MIIT and three major carriers in China, as of Dec. 1, the number of new 4G users had increased by 250 million compared to the same period last year. The total amount of 4G users is quickly approaching that of 3G subscribers.

If this growth rate continues, it is anticipated that by early 2016—only two years after the first 4G mobile network licenses were issued—China will have more 4G users than 3G users.

Though China’s three major carriers will continue competing for the 4G market in 2016, the newer 5G technologies have also been on their agenda. Especially after the positive results of China-developed TD-LTE 4G, researchers and developers for 5G expect the new technology to bring them even more success.

With IT giants such as Huawei, Nokia, TD-Tech and ZTE well prepared for 5G, it is expected that 5G technology will draw more attention in 2016.

According to analysts, a generation of communication technology normally has a lifespan of one decade. However, the breakneck speed of development of data services will undoubtedly expedite research on 5G.

In 2015, China Telecom and China Mobile, two telecommunication giants in China, both launched products with 4G+—a technology similar to 4.5G, with faster service than that of 4G. 

(For the latest China news, Please follow People's Daily on Twitter and Facebook)(Editor:Hongyu,Bianji)

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