China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) on Thursday launched a joint ministry-provincial pilot program aimed at accelerating innovation and development in 6G technology and laying the groundwork for its future commercial deployment.
According to the ministry, the collaborative initiative will focus on advancing frontier 6G technologies and strengthening the integration of communications networks with artificial intelligence, satellite internet and wireless sensing technologies.
The program will also promote research and development of key 6G infrastructure and products, including base stations, core network equipment, terminals, chips and operating systems.
Under the initiative, pilot regions across China will explore practical applications of 6G tailored to local needs. Priority sectors include immersive communications, industrial manufacturing, the low-altitude economy, embodied intelligence and smart maritime operations.
MIIT said it would closely monitor global and domestic developments in 6G technology and adjust pilot plans accordingly. The ministry also plans to organise technology trials through the IMT-2030 (6G) Promotion Group and prioritise major 6G industry conferences in selected pilot regions.
The latest move comes as China seeks to consolidate its leadership in next-generation communications technology. The country currently operates the world’s largest 5G network, with millions of base stations deployed nationwide and a leading share of global 5G connections.
Industry experts expect 6G to significantly outperform 5G, with transmission speeds, latency and reliability projected to improve by 10 to 100 times. The technology is also expected to provide seamless connectivity across air, space, land and maritime domains, creating a fully integrated global communications network.
Officials believe 6G will play a central role in driving the digital transformation of future industries and intelligent societies.
Earlier this year, China approved trial spectrum in the 6GHz band for 6G technology development. In May, MIIT authorised the IMT-2030 (6G) Promotion Group to conduct technology trials in selected regions to support research, testing and validation of key 6G technologies and performance standards established by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Established in June 2019, the IMT-2030 (6G) Promotion Group serves as China's primary platform for coordinating research among industry, academic institutions and research organisations, while also promoting international cooperation in 6G development.