GSMA - The Mobile Economy Report China 2023

The GSMA Mobile Economy Report for China 2023 notes that China's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is driving increased integration of digital technologies, underpinned by advanced mobile connectivity, in every aspect of society. In 2022, mobile technologies and services represented 5.5% of China's GDP, creating $1.1tn of economic value added. The report highlights that 5G will underpin future mobile innovation and services, with the number of 5G base stations in China exceeding 2.3 million at the end of 2022, helping China to become the first market with 1 billion 5G connections by 2025. It is anticipated that 5G connections will reach 1.6 billion in China by 2030, accounting for nearly a third of the global total, and delivering an estimated $290bn to the Chinese economy. Operators are increasingly shifting their focus to 5G for enterprises, with significant opportunities in adjacent areas such as cloud services. With the deployment of 5G's enhanced capabilities, demand for private and dedicated wireless network solutions is expected to rise, particularly in the manufacturing and mining sectors. China's digital ambitions will be driven by innovation, investments and the digital ecosystem, including start-ups, in order to fulfil the country's aspirations outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025) and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035.