China 5G Network Infrastructure Market - Strategic Insights and Forecasts (2025-2030)

Description

The China 5G Network Infrastructure Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.78%, attaining USD 32.432 billion in 2030 from USD 25.677 billion in 2025.

China 5G Network Infrastructure Market Key Highlights

• Massive Scale Deployment: By the end of 2024, China concluded the year with approximately 4.19 million 5G base stations built and operational, a figure slated for further expansion by over 300,000 units in 2025 as the country pursues universal 5G coverage across all villages.
• Government-Driven Core Architecture: The nation's deployment strategy heavily favors Standalone (SA) 5G Core Network architecture, a key component enabling advanced capabilities like network slicing, cloud-native infrastructure adoption, and ultra-low latency services necessary for industrial automation.
• Industrial Internet Catalyst: Government-backed initiatives, such as the "5G+Industrial Internet" plan, have catalyzed the establishment of over 400 smart factories powered by 5G, directly driving the demand for private 5G network infrastructure and specialized RAN components.
• Spectrum Refarming for Capacity: The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has permitted China Mobile to re-farm frequency resources in multiple bands below 3000MHz, previously used for 2G/3G/4G, for the public 5G mobile communication system, substantially increasing the effective capacity and coverage for 5G deployment.

The Chinese 5G Network Infrastructure Market represents the world's most extensive and rapidly scaled deployment of next-generation telecommunications technology, fundamentally driven by strategic national policy and robust state-owned enterprise investment. China's 5G network infrastructure market is a vital part of the country’s 5G ecosystem, making it the largest and most strategically developed 5G system in the world. This reflects the country's long-term dedication to digital sovereignty, industrial modernization, and leadership in next-generation connectivity. Key factors contributing to this achievement include strong policy support, large-scale capital investments, and centralized spectrum management. These elements have enabled China to deploy a vast number of 5G base stations, achieve nationwide coverage, and be the first in standalone (SA) network implementation.

The market trend is moving away from the consumer-centric enhanced mobile broadband sector to the enterprise and industrial sectors. These sectors include smart manufacturing, energy management, ports, mining, healthcare, and intelligent transportation, where features like ultra-low latency, high reliability, and network slicing are crucial. Mega cities and bustling industrial areas continue to be the primary locations deployment, while the rural regions are equipped with facilities that utilize shared infrastructure and government policies promoting nationwide digital inclusion.

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China 5G Network Infrastructure Market Overview

China’s 5G network infrastructure market is the largest and most crucial in the world in terms of 5G deployment. This is a result of strong government support, well-coordinated industrial policy, and the swift growth of home-grown telecom ecosystems. The market is extremely competitive with dense macro and small-cell deployments, fast-paced rollout of standalone (SA) 5G architecture, and deep incorporation of 5G with cloud, edge computing, and artificial intelligence platforms.

The 5G network infrastructure market in China is a result of a highly regulated and supportive policy environment. In such a setting, regulations and market drivers are tightly aligned with the country's industrial goals. On the regulatory front, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) is the chief decision-maker. It is the coordinator of 5G spectrum allocation, responsible for setting technical standards, approval of large-scale deployments, and issuance of commercial licenses to operators like China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom. Policy frameworks at the strategic level, such as the “New Infrastructure Construction” initiative, the 14th Five-Year Plan, and the Made in China 2025 blueprint, not only give directions to the regulatory environment but also provide long-term visibility for investment and financial support for the installation of 5G base stations, fiber backhaul, and core network upgrades.

In addition to consumer mobile broadband, the focus of infrastructure investments is gradually shifting towards the industrial 5G sector. This includes smart manufacturing, energy grids, ports, mining, healthcare, and intelligent transportation systems, where ultra-low latency and network slicing are key requirements. There were approximately 4.71 million 5G base stations in China as of the end of September 2025, in the context of the country's initiative to reinforce its cyber infrastructure. This number signifies a net growth of 455,000 from the end of last year, according to the data released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. 

Currently, operators such as China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom spearhead nationwide deployment and services commercialization, thereby chiefly driving China's 5G network infrastructure market. In terms of equipment supply across radio access network (RAN), core, and transmission networks, Huawei and ZTE are the undisputed leaders; however, Ericsson China and Nokia (China) have a limited yet strategic presence. Complementing the leading players, CICT, Comba Telecom, and FiberHome contribute to the enhancement of the ecosystem through the provision of optical, wireless, and specialized infrastructure solutions.

China 5G Network Infrastructure Market Analysis

• Growth Drivers

National-level directives mandating industrial digitalization propel the demand for 5G network infrastructure. The government's "5G+Industrial Internet" policy is a primary catalyst, directly increasing the demand for private 5G network installations, specialized Radio Access Network (RAN) equipment, and edge computing infrastructure within factory floors and industrial parks. Simultaneously, the mass adoption of 5G-enabled devices, reaching over 1.18 billion 5G connections across the three main operators by the end of 2024, necessitates continuous capacity expansion and densification of the public carrier networks. This surge in data traffic directly translates into an escalating demand for mid-band spectrum (1-6 GHz) RAN hardware, which offers the optimal balance of coverage and capacity to support enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) scenarios. Furthermore, the strategic push for cloud-native 5G Core Network deployment drives the demand for specialized network function virtualization (NFV) software and Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) hardware platforms essential for ultra-low latency applications.

• Rapid Growth in Mobile Data Traffic and Digital Consumption             

China’s 5G network infrastructure market is mainly driven by the rapid increase in mobile data traffic and digital consumption, which, in turn, is being propelled by the presence of a gigantic smartphone user base in the country, the lowering of prices of 5G devices, and the fast adoption of data-intensive digital services. The massive consumption of high-definition and ultra-high-definition video streaming, mobile gaming, short-form video platforms, cloud-based applications, and social media is driving an extensive increase in network load and demand for peak data, especially in highly densely populated urban areas. The number of Chinese internet users reached 1.1 billion by December 2024, an increase of 16 million compared to the previous year. The China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) report disclosed that internet penetration in China was 78.6 percent in 2024. 

Emerging applications like augmented reality, virtual reality, live commerce, and immersive entertainment will further increase the demand for high bandwidth and low latency, and telecom operators will be continuously forced to expand network capacity and improve the quality of service. At the same time, the rapid adoption of digital lifestyles, made possible by mobile payments, remote work platforms, online education, telemedicine, and smart home ecosystems, has transformed mobile connectivity from a discretionary service to an essential utility. 

The National Bureau of Statistics of China released data that indicated online retail sales in the country totalled 15.52 trillion yuan (almost 2.15 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2024, which is 7.2 percent more than last year. Specifically, online retail sales of tangible goods increased to 13.08 trillion yuan, rising by 6.5 percent compared to the previous year, which made up 26.8 percent of total retail sales of consumer goods.

• Challenges and Opportunities

The primary challenge is the exorbitant capital expenditure required for network densification, as 5G macro stations must be deployed at a density 1.2 to 1.5 times greater than 4G base stations to achieve continuous coverage. This cost pressure acts as a constraint on network operators, slowing the pace of universal high-band (mmWave) deployment. Concurrently, a significant opportunity exists in the accelerating adoption of Shared Infrastructure and Co-building and Sharing initiatives, officially promoted by the MIIT, which reduces the overall CapEx burden for individual operators and streamlines network rollout, thereby increasing the effective demand for shared RAN and backhaul equipment. Another key opportunity lies in the burgeoning need for Private 5G Networks within the industrial vertical, which presents a lucrative, high-margin segment for specialized infrastructure and solution providers, distinct from the commoditized public carrier market. The demand for AI-driven automation solutions for network management and orchestration also offers a high-growth opportunity for software and service components, as operators seek to reduce operating expenses (OPEX) associated with managing complex multi-generational networks.

• Raw Material and Pricing Analysis

The Chinese 5G Network Infrastructure Market, being a physical product market encompassing RAN, core, and transport hardware, is directly exposed to global supply chain volatility. Key raw materials include advanced semiconductors, particularly those used in Massive MIMO and baseband processing units, as well as high-performance ceramics and specialized polymers for antenna radomes and low-loss PCB substrates. The pricing dynamic for core equipment like base stations is heavily influenced by domestic competition between major Chinese vendors like Huawei and ZTE, whose high-volume domestic market provides an economy of scale advantage that stabilizes and, in some cases, depresses unit prices compared to international markets. Furthermore, the global export restrictions on advanced semiconductors have compelled Chinese manufacturers to aggressively invest in domestic supply chain resilience, a strategy that is simultaneously driving the demand for specialized domestic component suppliers while potentially increasing the short-term unit cost of advanced hardware.

• Supply Chain Analysis

The 5G infrastructure supply chain in China is characterized by strong domestic vertical integration, centered on equipment manufacturers like Huawei and ZTE. The primary production hubs for key hardware components—including base stations, core network gear, and optical transmission equipment—are situated across technology clusters in cities such as Shenzhen, Beijing, and Wuhan. This concentration creates a dependency on a localized ecosystem but grants significant control over manufacturing and logistics. A major complexity is the reliance on foreign entities for high-end, sub-10nm chipsets, necessary for the most advanced baseband units and high-capacity switching equipment, which introduces geopolitical risks and necessitates strategic inventory management. Conversely, the supply chain for passive infrastructure, such as fiber optic cables, towers, and site acquisition components, is highly localized and resilient, with companies like FiberHome dominating the optical fiber segment. The logistical complexity primarily involves the rapid deployment and commissioning of a massive number of small cells and distributed antenna systems (DAS) for network densification in hyper-dense urban environments.

• Government Regulations

The government's regulatory framework serves as the primary steering mechanism for the entire market.

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China 5G Network Infrastructure Market Segment Analysis

• By Application Segment: Manufacturing and Industrial Automation

The Manufacturing and Industrial Automation segment represents a critical growth frontier, moving beyond the consumer-centric Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) application. This necessity is intrinsically tied to the national strategy of Industrial Internet development, which necessitates low-latency, high-reliability, and secure wireless connectivity to enable real-time control, monitoring, and automation of factory operations. Specifically, this segment drives demand for Private 5G Networks and Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) technology, a function optimally delivered by the Standalone (SA) core architecture with localized Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) capabilities. The application of machine vision for quality inspection, remote operation of machinery like bridge cranes in steel plants, and predictive maintenance relies on 5G's guaranteed performance, shortening product development cycles and reducing operational costs. For equipment vendors, this translates to a direct demand for customized small cells, integrated base stations with edge servers, and network slicing software to create dedicated, isolated virtual networks for diverse industrial processes. The complexity of legacy system integration also necessitates a high demand for specialized systems integration services layered atop the core infrastructure.

• By Technology Segment: 5G Core Network

The 5G Core Network segment is the essential technology layer transforming the market from simple high-speed wireless access to a platform for sophisticated services. China's emphasis on Standalone (SA) core deployment is a strategic decision that creates a strong, non-negotiable demand for Cloud-Native architecture components, specifically Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and container-based infrastructure. Unlike Non-Standalone (NSA) architectures, the SA core enables network slicing, a key growth driver allowing telecom operators (the end-users of the core) to partition the network into distinct virtual slices, each tailored for a specific application—such as a guaranteed low-latency slice for autonomous vehicles or a high-bandwidth slice for media streaming. This capability fundamentally transforms the business model from a volume-based one to a quality-of-service one. The core network's evolution is also inseparable from edge computing integration, as the core must be distributed closer to the end-user or industrial site to achieve the requisite ultra-low latency, thereby propelling the demand for high-performance server hardware and virtualization software at the network edge.

• By Network Architecture: Standalone

Based on network architecture, the Chinese 5G network infrastructure market is categorized into standalone and non-standalone. The standalone architecture is specifically designed to provide an end-to-end network framework solely built on 5G, thereby offering high speed at ultra-low latency. China’s growing automation and digitization have significantly contributed to the country’s expanding 5G network infrastructure. This advancement provides high-speed capabilities essential for data transmission and management. Hence, China’s national policies are centred around improving 5G penetration in major industries as well as key urban centers, namely Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou.

Similarly, China’s communication sector is also witnessing a considerable transformation with smartphone adoption paving new ways to bolster high-speed network adoption. According to the “Interim Report 2025’ issued by China Telecom Corporation Limited, in the first half of 2025, the strength of internet broadband access ports reached 1.234 billion, while the total number of 5G base stations reached 4.549 million units. Additionally, the same report also stated that the total mobile phone subscribers stood at 1.81 billion, from which 5G subscribers alone accounted for 1.118 billion.

Moreover, the growing data traffic has also made ICT services providers launch 5G standalone services, for instance, in November 2024, China Mobile Hong Kong launched its 5G SA (Standalone) international roaming services, thereby becoming the first mobile network operator to provide 5G SA roaming services in mainland China. Hence, the new service aligns with national strategic development objectives and will strengthen connectivity between Macau, Hong Kong, and Guangdong.

The well-established presence of major market players, namely Nokia, ZTE Corporation, Ericsson, and Huawei Technologies. Co., Ltd., which has shown active participation in new product developments. For instance, in June 2025, Huawei, in collaboration with China Telecom, launched 5G-A Intelligent Ultra Pooling Uplink technology that supports standalone network architecture and is designed to improve multi-antenna uplink coverage.

• By End-user: Manufacturing

Based on end-user, the Chinese 5G network infrastructure market is divided into telecommunication, manufacturing, transportation & logistics, energy & utilities, healthcare, education, retail and hospitality, public sector, and others. Considered as the manufacturing hub, China holds great market potential for 5G expansion with government strategic plans to bolster industrial growth in action. Hence, the increasing adoption of smart manufacturing that aligns with the ‘Industry 4.0' concept has further impacted the demand for high-speed networks to enhance the overall data transition and monitoring.

According to the data by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in “2025 World Intelligent Manufacturing Conference”, China has built more than 7,000 advanced smart factories, thereby establishing itself as the largest intelligent manufacturing base globally. The same Ministry also specified that the country has further established 30,000 basic-level smart factories that align with the national objective to accelerate intelligent upgrades and industrial digitalization.

In addition to this improved scale of smart manufacturing units, China is also developing advanced robotics and autonomous solutions to bolster its manufacturing output, thereby improving the overall installation. According to the International Federation of Robotics, in 2024, the global industrial robotics installation reached 542,000 units, of which China alone accounted for 54% of the total installation. Additionally, the country’s operational robot stock also exceeded 2 million in the same year.

As China moves towards smart manufacturing and adopts next-generation production concepts, the investment in high-speed 5G network infrastructure is expected to grow. This infrastructure offers high-bandwidth communication with low-latency, thereby positively impacting the overall market expansion.

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China 5G Network Infrastructure Market Competitive Environment and Analysis

The Chinese 5G Network Infrastructure Market is characterized by a high degree of concentration, with domestic companies dominating the supply side, largely due to strong government support and preferred procurement by state-owned telecom operators. The competitive landscape is defined by the capabilities of the major equipment vendors and the deployment strategies of the three primary carriers.

• Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.

Huawei holds a dominant strategic position, driven by its end-to-end portfolio spanning the RAN, core, and transport layers. The company's core strategy centers on continuous innovation in 5G-Advanced (5G-A) technology, as evidenced by its global pioneer status in 5G-A commercial deployment. This focus generates demand for its latest equipment upgrades, which promise tenfold performance improvements over baseline 5G. Huawei's verifiable key products include its Massive MIMO Base Stations and comprehensive Cloud Native Core solutions. The strategic positioning is to be the primary technology partner for China's industrial digitization, leveraging its massive scale and R&D investment to maintain its market share against both domestic and international competitors.

• ZTE Corporation

ZTE Corporation is the second major Chinese vendor, providing a broad range of 5G solutions. ZTE's strategic positioning emphasizes high energy efficiency and simplified deployment solutions, targeting both the large-scale public carrier market and the complex private network sector. In February 2024, at Mobile World Congress (MWC), ZTE unveiled new 5G-A highlights, including the Uni-Radio (A+P) solution that integrates seven bands into a single radio unit, which directly addresses the operators' need for site simplification and reduced power consumption. Furthermore, its UniEngine platform integrates 5G core and RAN with simplified Operations and Maintenance (O&M), positioning it as a key provider for enterprises deploying their own private 5G networks, a high-growth demand segment.

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China 5G Network Infrastructure Market Developments

• January 2025: MIIT Sets Target for 4.5 Million 5G Base Stations by Year-End China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) announced that the country ended 2024 with 4.19 million 5G base stations built and put into operation, confirming its status as the largest 5G network globally. The ministry concurrently set a target to increase this number by over 300,000, aiming for a total of approximately 4.5 million 5G base stations by the end of 2025. This capacity addition reflects the government's unwavering commitment to achieving "5G in every village" and ensures a continued, significant demand for new RAN and backhaul hardware throughout the period.
• 2025: Huawei showcased significant 5G-A progress at MWC Shanghai, highlighting experience monetization, AI-integrated services, and scenario-based AI agents in partnership with China's three major carriers (China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom). Commercial 5 G adoption has rapidly expanded, with networks covering hundreds of cities and supporting innovative applications, such as mobile AI and high-uplink capabilities.
• 2025: Huawei and China Telecom launched the Intelligent Ultra Pooling Uplink technology in June 2025, enabling AI-driven orchestration for enhanced uplink performance, low latency, and support for multi-modal data in mobile AI scenarios.
• December 2024: China Mobile Allowed to Re-farm Low-Band Frequencies for 5G The MIIT formally permitted China Mobile to re-farm its existing frequency resources in multiple bands below 3000MHz, previously designated for 2G/3G/4G systems, for use in its public 5G mobile communication system. This regulatory action represents a substantial and immediate increase in the usable 5G spectrum for China Mobile, directly augmenting the carrier's network capacity and ability to enhance 5G coverage, thereby driving demand for multi-band capable RAN equipment that can utilise these re-farmed frequencies.
• February 2024: ZTE Launches Simplified, Energy-Efficient 5G-A Solutions at MWC ZTE Corporation announced the launch of its innovative 5G-A (5G-Advanced) products at MWC 2024 in Barcelona. Key launches included the Uni-Radio (A+P), which achieves high integration by combining seven frequency bands into one radio unit, and an industry-unique 12TR RRU that demonstrates a 35% lower power consumption than the industry average through a new platform design. These product introductions directly respond to the market's expansion for site simplification and OPEX reduction through superior energy efficiency in the deployment of 5G-A capacity upgrades.

China 5G Network Infrastructure Market Segmentation

• BY COMPONENT
  • RAN
  • 5G Core Network
  • Transport or Backhaul Network
  • Edge Infrastructure
  • Network Management and Orchestration
  • Others
• BY SPECTRUM BAND
  • Low-band (<1 GHz)
  • Mid-band (1-6 GHz)
  • High-band/ mmWave (>24 GHz)
• BY DEPLOYMENT TYPE
  • Public Carrier Networks
  • Private 5G Networks
  • Shared Infrastructure
  • Hybrid
• BY DEPLOYMENT MODE
  • Standalone
  • Non-Standalone
• BY END-USER
  • Telecom Operators
  • Manufacturing and Industrial Automation
  • Transportation & Logistics
  • Energy and Utilities
  • Healthcare
  • Education
  • Retail and Hospitality
  • Public Sector
  • Other Enterprises

Table Of Contents

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

2. MARKET SNAPSHOT

2.1. Market Overview

2.2. Market Definition

2.3. Scope of the Study

2.4. Market Segmentation

3. BUSINESS LANDSCAPE

3.1. Market Drivers

3.2. Market Restraints

3.3. Market Opportunities

3.4. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

3.5. Industry Value Chain Analysis

3.6. Policies and Regulations

3.7. Strategic Recommendations

4. TECHNOLOGICAL OUTLOOK

5. CHINA 5G NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE MARKET BY COMPONENT

5.1. Introduction

5.2. RAN

5.3. 5G Core Network

5.4. Transport or Backhaul Network

5.5. Edge Infrastructure

5.6. Network Management and Orchestration

5.7. Others

6. CHINA 5G NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE MARKET BY SPECTRUM BAND

6.1. Introduction

6.2. Low-band (<1 GHz)

6.3. Mid-band (1-6 GHz)

6.4. High-band/ mmWave (>24 GHz)

7. CHINA 5G NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE MARKET BY DEPLOYMENT TYPE

7.1. Introduction

7.2. Public Carrier Networks

7.3. Private 5G Networks

7.4. Shared Infrastructure

7.5. Hybrid

8. CHINA 5G NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE MARKET BY DEPLOYMENT MODE

8.1. Introduction

8.2. Standalone

8.3. Non-Standalone

9. CHINA 5G NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE MARKET BY END-USER

9.1. Introduction

9.2. Telecom Operators

9.3. Manufacturing and Industrial Automation

9.4. Transportation & Logistics

9.5. Energy and Utilities

9.6. Healthcare

9.7. Education

9.8. Retail and Hospitality

9.9. Public Sector

9.10. Other Enterprises

10. COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT AND ANALYSIS

10.1. Major Players and Strategy Analysis

10.2. Market Share Analysis

10.3. Mergers, Acquisitions, Agreements, and Collaborations

10.4. Competitive Dashboard

11. COMPANY PROFILES

11.1. China Mobile Limited

11.2. China Telecom Corporation Limited

11.3. China Unicom (Hong Kong) Limited

11.4. Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.

11.5. ZTE Corporation

11.6. Ericsson China

11.7. Nokia Solutions and Networks (China) Co., Ltd.

11.8. China Information and Communication Technologies Group Corporation (CICT)

11.9. Comba Telecom Systems Holdings Limited (China)

11.10. FiberHome Telecommunication Technologies Co., Ltd.

12. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

LIST OF FIGURES

LIST OF TABLES

Companies Profiled

China Mobile Limited

China Telecom Corporation Limited

China Unicom (Hong Kong) Limited

Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.

ZTE Corporation

Ericsson China

Nokia Solutions and Networks (China) Co., Ltd.

China Information and Communication Technologies Group Corporation (CICT)

Comba Telecom Systems Holdings Limited (China)

FiberHome Telecommunication Technologies Co., Ltd.

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