China Mobile, the world’s largest mobile operator, now boasts over 500 million 5G users, according to its latest report. By the end of May, the telecom giant had 502.6 million active 5G network users, reflecting the growing adoption of this next-generation technology. This figure marks a significant milestone, as it represents actual 5G usage rather than just subscriptions to 5G plans.
Previously, China Mobile’s reports included customers on 5G tariff plans, regardless of their actual usage of the 5G network. The shift to reporting active users offers a clearer picture of 5G adoption. With an overall customer base of nearly one billion, this means more than 50% of China Mobile’s customers are actively using 5G services.
The growth rate has been robust, with 7.7 million new 5G network customers added in May alone, following 7.3 million in April. This steady increase contrasts with the previously higher numbers of 5G package customers, which included those who might not use the network. By the end of 2023, China Mobile reported 794.5 million 5G package customers, with monthly additions typically between 10 and 20 million.
China Mobile’s smaller competitors, China Telecom and China Unicom, continue to report only 5G package customers. As of May, they had 334.3 million and 273.8 million such customers, respectively. However, the actual number of 5G users for these companies is likely significantly lower.
The GSMA noted in March that China had over 800 million 5G connections, a figure that has undoubtedly increased with continued growth. The industry body predicts China will surpass one billion 5G connections this year, with more than half of all mobile connections being 5G by the end of 2024.
Marking the fifth anniversary of 5G in China, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) reported that the country has deployed 3.75 million 5G base stations. This rapid infrastructure expansion underlines the significant and accelerating adoption of 5G technology in China.
