Shenzhen has completed its goal for 2019 of constructing 15,000 5G base stations, with the latest one being put into service at Cofco Wise R&D Center in Bao’an District on Thursday.

5G device on the street in Shenzhen. [Photo: Nanfang Daily]

The launch ceremony Thursday also witnessed the inaugurations of Shenzhen 5G Application and Innovation Alliance, Shenzhen Information Infrastructure Investment Co. Ltd. and Bao’an 5G+AIoT Industrial Demonstration Park.

This September, Shenzhen unveiled measures to promote the high-quality development of 5G technologies and realize full 5G network coverage.

It is trying to become a global benchmark city in the construction and application of 5G networks.

To achieve this goal, the city planned to complete the construction of 15,000 base stations before the end of the year. By August 2020, at the turn of the 40th anniversary of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, the number will have increased to 45,000.

The 5G network will cover 10 major areas, including transportation, policing, urban administration, power supply, water resources, health care, education, tourism, public safety and ports.

The newly established Shenzhen Information Infrastructure Investment Co. Ltd. will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of multifunctional smart poles.

Shenzhen 5G Application and Innovation Alliance, led by Shenzhen Academy of Information and Communications Technology, will be responsible for 5G technical standards and industrial demonstration.

To help solve the difficulties of enterprises, like the choice of sites, high maintenance costs and the installation of power facilities, the city will grant subsidies for electricity usage, open resources at public venues and offer preferential policies regarding electricity facility installation.

Jia Xingdong, director of the city’s industry and information bureau, said the city will stick to high standards, high-intensity investment and high-density coverage in the construction of 5G infrastructure and try to become a leading global city in 5G coverage and application.

The city will try to forge two 5G industrial clusters, each with an expected annual output volume of more than 100 billion yuan (US$14 billion) by 2022.