Launch of China’s 10G Broadband Network
China has launched the world’s first commercial 10-Gigabit (10G) broadband network in Sunan County, Hebei Province, with a significant deployment in Xiong’an New Area, a high-tech city being developed as a smart metropolis. The initiative, a collaboration between Huawei and state-owned China Unicom, went live on 20 April 2025.
The network leverages 50G Passive Optical Network (PON) technology, and can deliver download speeds of up to 9,834 Mbps, upload speeds of around 1,008 Mbps, and provides for latency levels as low as 3 milliseconds.
For purposes of context, downloading a 20GB 4K movie, which takes 7-10 minutes on a 1Gbps connection, would be completed in under 20 seconds on this 10G network.
The rollout aligns with China’s national digital infrastructure strategy, aiming to position the country as a global leader in connectivity. Xiong’an, located 70 miles southwest of Beijing, serves as a testing ground for cutting-edge technologies under President Xi Jinping’s vision of a “15-minute life circle,” where residents’ needs are met within a short walk.
However, reports suggest Xiong’an struggles to attract private sector interest, with some labeling it a “ghost town” despite over $100 billion in construction costs.
What is 10G Technology?
10G technology refers to broadband networks capable of delivering download speeds up to 10 gigabits per second (Gbps) over wired infrastructure, typically fiber-optic cables. Unlike mobile network generations (e.g., 5G), the “10G” label denotes speed, not a new technical standard.
It utilizes 50G-PON, which enhances data transmission over existing fiber by increasing bandwidth capacity and reducing latency.
Key features of 10G Networks include:
- High Bandwidth: Supports data-intensive applications like 8K video streaming, cloud computing, and immersive virtual/augmented reality (VR/AR).
- Low Latency: Achieves delays as low as 3ms, critical for real-time applications like autonomous vehicles and telemedicine.
- Symmetric Speeds: Offers near-equivalent upload and download speeds, vital for cloud-based services and content creation.
The technology integrates advanced modulation techniques and Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM), enabling multiple data channels over a single fiber, boosting efficiency and reliability.
10G vs. 5G Technology
While 10G and 5G share similar naming, they serve distinct purposes:
- Infrastructure: 10G is a wired broadband technology using fiber-optic networks, ideal for fixed locations like homes, offices, and data centers, while 5G is a wireless mobile network designed for mobility, connecting devices over cellular towers.
- Speed: 10G offers consistent speeds up to 10 Gbps, surpassing typical 5G speeds, which peak at 20 Gbps but often deliver 100-500 Mbps in real-world conditions due to signal variability.
- Latency: 10G’s 3ms latency is comparable to or better than 5G’s 1-10ms, but 10G’s wired nature ensures greater stability.
- Applications: 10G excels in high-bandwidth, low-latency fixed applications (e.g., smart homes, VR/AR, 8K streaming). 5G supports mobile use cases like IoT, connected vehicles, and remote surgeries.
- Coverage: 10G requires fiber infrastructure, limiting it to areas with advanced cabling. 5G covers broader regions via wireless signals but faces challenges in rural or obstructed areas.
In essence, 10G complements 5G by providing ultra-fast, reliable connectivity for stationary environments, while 5G prioritizes mobility and flexibility.
Implications for China’s Connectivity Industry
The 10G network positions China at the forefront of global broadband innovation, surpassing countries like the UAE (543 Mbps) and Qatar (521 Mbps) in commercial speeds.
Key implications include:
- Technological Leadership: The rollout reinforces China’s ambition to lead in digital infrastructure, potentially setting global standards for next-generation networks.
- Sectoral Advancements: Enhanced connectivity supports data-intensive sectors like telemedicine (e.g., real-time diagnostics), remote education, smart agriculture, and industrial automation.
- Smart City Development: Xiong’an’s deployment aims to enable interconnected urban systems, from self-driving car networks to AI-driven city management, though its success hinges on population growth and private investment.
- Economic Impact: The network could drive innovation in cloud-native services, edge computing, and low-latency APIs, creating opportunities for developers and businesses.
However, challenges remain, including low gigabit broadband adoption (e.g., only 20-34% of China Mobile, Telecom, and Unicom’s customers use gigabit services) and the need for widespread fiber infrastructure.
Commercial Viability
The 10G platform is commercially viable for high-demand urban and industrial applications, however it is likely to faces hurdles:
- Demand: Enterprises, data centers, and smart cities benefit most from 10G’s capabilities. Consumer demand may lag due to limited 10G-compatible devices and high costs.
- Infrastructure: Leveraging existing fiber with 50G-PON reduces deployment costs, but scaling to rural areas requires significant investment.
- Use Cases: Operators like China Unicom are exploring applications (e.g., cloud gaming, VR/AR), but identifying compelling consumer use cases remains a challenge.
China’s government-backed pilot in 168 areas, including Shanghai and Guangdong, suggests a strong commitment by the Xi Administration to the 10G network commercialization, with plans to roll out 300 10G communities in Guangdong alone by 2025.
User Price Indications
No specific user pricing for China’s 10G network is publicly available. Given the premium nature of the service and comparisons with gigabit plans (typically $20-50/month in China), 10G subscriptions could range from $100-200/month for consumers, with enterprise plans significantly higher. Pricing will depend on infrastructure costs, competition, and government subsidies.
Other Countries Developing 10G
The claim of China that this is the “world’s first” 10G network is contested, as other countries have implemented similar technologies:
- United States: Comcast markets “10G” services via hybrid fiber-coax, though top speeds often remain at 1 Gbps. CableLabs has developed 10G technologies like Full Duplex Coherent Optics.
- South Korea, Japan: Both have advanced fiber networks with 10G trials, focusing on urban deployments.
- UAE, Qatar: These nations offer high-speed broadband (500-1000 Mbps) but lack region-wide 10G commercial networks.
- UK: Limited 10G pilots exist, primarily for business applications.
The sheer scale of the Chinese development, linked to substantial government support, however, gives it an edge, and will be the first substantive commercial 10G network. There is also the question of market uptake that would largely be driven by pricing models, and globally, there is likely to be an intensification of competition.
- Challenges: Low gigabit adoption, Xiong’an’s limited traction, and high deployment costs.
China’s 10G network represents big step toward a hyper-connected future, but its success depends on overcoming infrastructural and adoption barriers while competing globally.
