Ministry of Industry and Information Technology: Improving core chips and devices to promote self-reliance and self-strengthening of the communications industry chain

On March 25, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued the "Action Plan for the Collaborative Development of "Dual Gigabit" Networks (2021-2023)" (hereinafter referred to as the "Action Plan"), proposing six major actions: gigabit city construction action, carrying capacity enhancement action, industry integration empowerment action, industrial chain strengthening and chain supplementation action, user experience improvement action, and security assurance enhancement action.

Image source: Ministry of Industry and Information Technology

The Action Plan mentions the main goals: by the end of 2021, the gigabit fiber network will be able to cover 200 million households, the scale of 10G-PON and above ports will exceed 5 million, and the number of gigabit broadband users will exceed 10 million. The 5G network will basically achieve coverage of areas above the county level and some key towns, and more than 600,000 new 5G base stations will be added.

By the end of 2023, the gigabit fiber optic network will be able to cover 400 million households, the scale of 10G-PON and above ports will exceed 10 million, and the number of gigabit broadband users will exceed 30 million; the 5G network will basically achieve coverage of areas above the township level and key administrative villages; and achieve the "double hundred" goal: build 100 gigabit cities and create 100 gigabit industry virtual private network benchmark projects.

Among them, in terms of strengthening and supplementing the industrial chain, leading enterprises, scientific research institutions, etc. are encouraged to increase R&D investment in ultra-high-speed optical fiber transmission, next-generation optical network technology, and wireless communication technology, and to participate deeply in international standardization work; terminal equipment companies are encouraged to accelerate the R&D of 5G terminals, improve the product performance of 5G terminals, and promote the maturity of various forms of 5G terminals such as smartphones, customer premise equipment (CPE) that support SA/NSA dual-mode and multi-band, as well as cloud XR, wearable devices, etc. Encourage companies such as optical fiber and cable, chip devices, and network equipment to continuously improve the level of advanced industrial foundation and modernization of the industrial chain, and consolidate existing industrial advantages. Focus on improving the R&D and manufacturing level of core chips, network equipment, modules, devices, etc., promote the realization of self-reliance and self-improvement of my country's communication industry chain, and cultivate and expand the industrial ecology.

In terms of the Gigabit City Construction Action, we will promote basic telecommunications companies to carry out large-scale commercial use of 5G independent networking (SA), focusing on accelerating network coverage in central urban areas, key areas, and key industries. We will encourage the use of multiple networking methods such as macro base stations and micro base stations, combined with other technologies such as centralized wireless access networks (C-RAN), to promote the deep coverage of 5G networks in traffic hubs, large sports stadiums, scenic spots and other traffic-intensive areas.

In terms of industry integration and empowerment actions, we encourage basic telecommunications companies, Internet companies and industry units to cooperate and innovate, focus on new demands and expectations for information consumption, and accelerate the business application of "dual gigabit" networks in ultra-high-definition video, AR/VR and other consumer fields. Focus on the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry, carry out "dual gigabit" collaborative innovation for different application scenarios and production processes, and accelerate the formation of a "dual gigabit" application model with complementary advantages.

In addition, the "Action Plan" points out that standardization organizations and industry associations should give full play to their role as technology leaders and bridge links, actively carry out international benchmarking, and promote basic telecommunications companies, research institutes, equipment manufacturers, device manufacturers, chip manufacturers and other upstream and downstream of the industrial chain to further strengthen technological research and collaborative innovation.