China has launched the world’s first commercial 10-Gigabit (10G) broadband network, marking a significant development in next-generation internet infrastructure.
The network went live in Sunan County, Hebei Province, as a joint initiative between state-owned telecom operator China Unicom and technology firm Huawei.
According to the companies, the system is based on 50G Passive Optical Network (PON) technology, which dramatically boosts data transmission across existing fibre-optic cables.
Real-world tests recorded download speeds of up to 9,834 Megabits per second (Mbps), upload speeds reaching 1,008 Mbps, and latency as low as 3 milliseconds. These figures reflect a tenfold improvement over conventional 1G broadband services.
The upgrade enables high-bandwidth activities such as ultra-high-definition 8K video streaming, virtual and augmented reality experiences, cloud-based applications, and seamless smart home operations. A 20GB file, for instance, can now be downloaded in under 20 seconds.
Officials say the launch positions China ahead of other nations in rolling out commercial-grade 10G networks. While countries like South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have deployed advanced broadband systems, none have yet announced live 10G services for public use.
The Hebei deployment is being viewed as a model for future expansion. Authorities have indicated that national rollout will depend on infrastructure readiness and consumer demand.
In addition to consumer applications, the network is expected to benefit sectors requiring reliable high-speed data. These include telemedicine, remote education, precision agriculture and industrial automation.
Huawei stated that the adoption of 50G PON was critical to achieving the 10G milestone without requiring widespread replacement of existing fibre systems.
The development aligns with China’s broader digital strategy, which includes increasing broadband access, improving cloud infrastructure, and preparing networks for the expected growth of smart devices and artificial intelligence.
The announcement did not specify the pricing or subscription model for the new service.
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