Recently, ZTE took the lead in completing the 5G carrier aggregation verification of the 700MHz and 4.9GHz spectrum in Shenzhen, further enriching the 700MHz+4.9GHz dual-band networking solution, and helping the next step in the global commercial construction of 5G in the 700MHz frequency band. On May 20, China Mobile announced that its parent company, China Mobile Group Corporation, has entered into a cooperation framework agreement on 5G co-construction and sharing with China Radio and Television Network Co., Ltd. (China Radio and Television).
From the perspective of the agreement, the core of the two parties’ co-construction and sharing is the 700MHz 5G wireless network, which involves investment and construction, operation and maintenance, and the use of transmission and bearer networks. Securities Times reporters noticed that recently, 700MHz 5G network deployment conditions are becoming more and more mature. On the one hand, this frequency band is assigned to be adjusted for mobile communications, and on the other hand, the research and development of network equipment in this frequency band has also accelerated.
Radio and television mobile official announced “together”
China Radio and Television is a new entrant in the field of mobile communications, and China Mobile is the communications operator with the largest number of users in China. In the eyes of industry insiders, this cooperation is a win-win for both parties. According to the agreement signed between China Mobile Group Corporation and China Radio and Television, the main cooperation contents include five items, three of which are related to the deployment of 700MHz 5G network. The two parties jointly determine the network construction plan, jointly invest in the construction of a 700MHz 5G wireless network at a ratio of 1:1, and jointly own and have the right to use the 700MHz 5G wireless network assets.
Since China Radio and Television has a relatively weak foundation in the field of mobile communications, the two parties also agreed on two other cooperation contents, that is, before the 5G network in the 700MHz band is ready for commercial use, China Radio and Television will share China Mobile’s 2G/4G/5G network for a fee to provide services to its customers. At the same time, China Mobile provides paid international business transfer services for China Radio and Television.
Currently, China Mobile has 5G network deployment licenses in the 2.6GHz and 4.9GHz bands, and China Radio and Television has 5G network deployment licenses in the 700MHz and 4.9Ghz bands. Judging from the disclosed cooperation content, the 4.9GHz 5G network is not involved for the time being.
It is reported that the above two parties will jointly explore model innovations in terms of products and operations on the basis of maintaining the independence of their respective brands and operations, carry out in-depth cooperation in content, platform and other aspects, and carry out cooperative operations in channels and customer services. The cooperation period between the two parties is from the date of entry into force of the 5G Cooperation Framework Agreement to December 31, 2031.
China Mobile said that both parties to the agreement can leverage their advantages in 5G technology and frequency resources to achieve 5G network coverage in an intensive and efficient manner. Promote cooperation between the two parties in terms of content, jointly create a “network + content” ecosystem, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results for both parties. The two parties will negotiate and implement the specific plans in the 5G cooperation framework agreement in accordance with market-oriented principles.
An industry insider said that China Mobile has officially assembled the 700MHz+2.6GHz+4.9GHz frequency band. In the future, for industry customers, there will be more options for networking solutions. Specifically, using the 700MHz low-frequency wide coverage feature, 5G network coverage in rural areas and water areas can be quickly achieved, meeting the application needs of 5G industries such as drones, emergency rescue, and environmental monitoring.
For China Radio and Television, this cooperation can quickly cope with the constraints on the technical and financial side, and quickly promote the deployment of 5G with the help of China Mobile.
5G industry chain accelerates
Different from the most common 3.5GHz 5G frequency band in the world, the 700MHz frequency band has certain Chinese characteristics. Of course, this also brings a series of problems such as the low maturity of the supporting industry chain. With the co-construction and sharing of mobile and radio and television, the 700MHz industry chain has accelerated to mature.
In March this year, during the 3GPP plenary meeting of the international standards organization for mobile communications, China Radio and Television’s 700MHz frequency band 2×30/40MHz technical proposal was adopted and included in the 5G international standard, becoming the world’s first 5G low-band (Sub-1GHz) high-bandwidth 5G international standard. It has set a new benchmark for the use of 5G spectrum resources in the global 700MHz band.
Subsequently, at the beginning of April, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued the “Notice on Adjusting the Frequency Use Plan of the 700MHz Band”, which clearly adjusted the frequency use plan of the 702-798MHz frequency band of the original radio and television business for the mobile communication system, and used the 703-743/758-798MHz frequency band. Band planning is used for mobile communication systems that work in frequency division duplex (FDD) mode.
Although 700MHz started late and the industry chain is less mature, it is regarded as the golden frequency band for 5G deployment due to its wide coverage, low loss, and strong penetration.
A calculation shows that compared with the 2.6GHz system, the coverage area of the 700MHz system is about 3 to 4 times that of the 700MHz system. Only 400,000 base stations are needed to build a national 5G network using the 700MHz frequency band, while the three major operators need to build 6 million. With the advantages of frequency bands, the macro base station can save about 30% of the base station construction cost compared with other operators.
The reporter noticed that China Radio and Television has released news that its 5G construction has entered a stage of full force development, and the communication equipment industry chain supporting low and medium frequency bands is becoming more and more mature. China Radio and Television’s 5G mobile terminal is about to be released for the communication market, marking China Radio and Television’s 5G move towards commercial operation.
Great Wall Securities pointed out in the report that radio and television has a combination of high-frequency 4.9GHz (experimental) + intermediate frequency 3.3-3.4GHz (indoor coverage) + low-frequency 700MHz, which is expected to accelerate breakthrough; at the same time, with the support of strategic partners, radio and television construction progress is expected to accelerate .
From Ali to China Mobile and then to State Grid, there have been many scandals surrounding the 5G deployment of China Radio and Television. On the special day of “520”, the official announcement of the cooperation between radio and television and China Mobile will benefit the communication industry chain.
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