From Beijing to Colombo How China’s 5G revolution offers a blueprint for Sri Lanka

As Sri Lanka prepares to embark on its own 5G journey, it is impossible to ignore the dramatic changes 5G technology has already brought to China, transforming everything from media and industry to daily life. During a recent study tour in China, organised by China Broadcasting International Economic and Technological Cooperation Co., Ltd., I saw first-hand how rapidly the world’s largest 5G rollout is reshaping society on an unprecedented scale. China’s experience not only highlights the possibilities of next-generation networks, but also offers vital lessons for Sri Lanka as we chart our own path toward a digital future.

As Ma Xin, Senior Engineer at the China Meteorological Administration and Huafeng Media Group, told us during a session on ‘applications of 5G technology on media convergence, “5G is not just a technical upgrade. It is an enabling force, powering new ways of storytelling, new industries, and a new era of connectivity. In China, this revolution is visible in the world’s largest 5G network, in media production, in smart factories, and even at the summit of Mount Everest. For Sri Lanka, these insights can help shape a future-ready approach to digital development.

What is 5G? The foundations of the wireless future

5G, or fifth-generation wireless technology, is more than just faster internet on your phone. 5G stands for the fifth generation of mobile networks, succeeding 4G, and brings transformative improvements: data is transferred much faster, with greater capacity, reduced latency, and higher frequencies. Compared to earlier mobile generations focused on voice and internet, 5G is designed for vast, diverse applications: from autonomous driving and smart cities to industrial automation and immersive media.

How does 5G work? Unlike 4G, which relied on large cell towers, 5G uses a layered approach. “The current 5G network is built on a combination of small cells in urban areas, massive MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) antennas that increase capacity, and macro-cells in rural regions,” says Ma Xin. “It leverages both low frequencies for long-range and building penetration, and high frequencies for high data throughout in dense areas.”

A critical innovation is beam forming. Instead of broadcasting signals in all directions, 5G antennaes can direct data exactly where it is needed, improving efficiency. “Network slicing” enables operators to partition the network into segments optimised for different purposes, such as streaming, industrial controls, autonomous vehicles, each with tailored speed and reliability.

For consumers and businesses, these advances mean lightning-fast downloads, the ability to connect tens of thousands of devices at once, and real-time responsiveness that opens the door to things like remote surgery, smart factories, and augmented reality. “5G enables real-time applications in ways previous generations never could,” Ma Xin said. “It is not only faster, it is smarter and more adaptive.”

How 5G is reshaping media and communication

Media is among the first industries to feel 5G’s full impact. “With 5G, the sector is moving towards content that is more interactive, mobile and visual, especially for international audiences,” Ma Xin said. “High bandwidth and low latency mean that video is replacing text as the main form of communication.” Newsrooms in China now routinely produce ultra-high-definition videos and interactive content designed to be consumed on mobile devices.

For broadcasters, 5G enables real-time, cloud-based workflows. During live events, reporters can transmit high quality video directly from a backpack-sized device via 5G, eliminating the need for satellite trucks. At the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, this approach allowed for seamless live coverage and virtual access for millions, as the Covid-19 pandemic kept crowds away.

The transformation goes beyond broadcast. In the media, augmented and virtual reality allows audiences to experience events as if they are present. “Immersive media powered by 5G gives users a new sense of presence, enabling global audiences to share in experiences like never before,” Ma Xin said. The rise of 5G also underpins the explosion of short video and live streaming, which has come to dominate China’s digital media landscape.

The impact of 5G in China is not limited to media. More than 2,400 5G industrial internet projects are now under way. Sectors ranging from transportation, mining, and medical care to education, culture, and tourism are seeing new possibilities open up. Industrial internet refers to the fusion of advanced computing, sensors, analytics, and connectivity within traditional industries, enabling smarter, more efficient systems.

For example, in manufacturing, 5G allows machines, robots, and sensors to communicate in real time, facilitating automation and predictive maintenance. In healthcare, it supports telemedicine, remote diagnostics, and even 5G-equipped ambulances capable of transmitting patient data while en route to hospitals. In logistics, 5G enables AI-driven warehouses and supply chains that can respond to changes instantly.

This nationwide connectivity supports new services such as connected vehicles, smart city infrastructure, and AI-powered public safety systems. “The backbone of the digital economy is fast, reliable data,” says Ma Xin. “5G is the enabler that brings the industrial internet to life.”

China’s 5G network: the world’s largest and still growing

China’s achievements in 5G infrastructure are unmatched. According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), as of May 2025, China had built and activated more than 4.395 million 5G base stations, accounting for 60 percent of the world’s total. The network spans 86 of the country’s 97 key economic sectors.

This scale reflects both national ambition and strategic policy. China’s ‘Next Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan’ of 2017 and other policies directed massive resources into 5G R&D and deployment. The result is rapid uptake: China surpassed one billion 5G connections in November 2024, and the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) forecasts 5G adoption in China will reach 61 percent of users by the end of 2025 and 88 percent by 2030.

“China’s vast 5G network is not just about numbers,” Ma Xin said. “It’s about integrating new technologies, AI, IoT, cloud computing, across society. It is laying the digital foundations for future growth.”

5G-A and the road to 6G

China’s journey does not stop at 5G. The industry is already rolling out 5G-Advanced (5G-A), the next evolutionary step. 5G-A offers higher speeds, lower latency, and the ability to connect even more devices. 5G-A is seen as the bridge between 5G and 6G and is already being implemented in cities, on subways, and in industry, making possible use cases like driverless vehicles and smart manufacturing.

In places like Beijing, 5G-A powers the world’s fastest subway network, supporting 4K streaming, high-speed gaming, and smart city services. China Mobile is planning to expand 5G-A to over 300 cities, and China Unicom and China Telecom are running pilots in dozens of others.

The future points to 6G, with China having launched the world’s first 6G field test network in 2024. While still in early stages, 6G promises even more profound changes, with integrated communications, intelligence, and ubiquitous coverage.

Milestones: 5G on Everest and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics

China’s technical achievements are not limited to urban centres. In 2020, China Mobile built the world’s highest-altitude 5G base station on Mount Qomolangma (Everest), covering the summit. In April 2024, a new 5G-A station was launched, bringing even faster connectivity to the world’s highest peak. “5G on Everest supports tourism, scientific research, and emergency response,” Ma Xin said. “Researchers can now upload real-time data on wildlife and environmental conditions, and climbers have access to more reliable emergency communications.”

The 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing showcased China’s 5G prowess to the world. The Games were the first ever with full 5G coverage, enabling 19 innovative scenarios from cloud-based broadcasting and 5G-equipped ambulances to real-time athlete monitoring. The Beijing-Zhangjiakou High-speed Railway, covered entirely by 5G, allowed for uninterrupted streaming and data exchange at 350 kilometres per hour.

Beyond entertainment, 5G supported public health and safety. The pandemic-era Olympics featured contactless technologies: “underarm Band-Aids” for real-time temperature monitoring, remote ultrasonic diagnosis robots for contactless patient care, aerosol Coronavirus detection systems, and disinfection robots. Even the beds in the athlete’s village featured zero-gravity modes to aid recovery, earning praise from international competitors.

As Ma Xin said, “the Olympics were not only a sporting event, but a showcase of how 5G and digital innovation can protect, entertain, and connect people, even in the most challenging circumstances.”

5G and the digital economy: an engine for growth

The integration of 5G has driven enormous economic value. The GSMA estimates that mobile technologies and digital transformation will contribute $2 trillion to China’s economy by 2030, or 8.3 percent of GDP. Already, core digital industries account for about 10 percent of GDP, with breakthroughs in integrated circuits, AI, industrial software, and cloud infrastructure.

The manufacturing sector is set to reap the greatest rewards, expected to generate 40 percent of the economic impact by adopting 5G, IoT, and AI. Mobile technologies and digital services are not only reshaping traditional industries, but enabling the rise of entirely new sectors. Over 14,600 “little giant” SMEs, specialised, innovative firms, have flourished in the 5G era. Small and medium enterprises, green manufacturing, and cross-border trade are all benefitting from the wave of digital infrastructure. China’s government has also launched pilot programs to open up value-added telecommunications services to foreign companies, with global firms like Tesla among the first to participate.

Challenges and the path forward

People look at a 5G+ Hydrogen-powered unmanned tractor during the 13th Central China Investment and Trade Exposition (Expo Central China 2024) in Changsha, Central China’s Hunan Province, May 31, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

Despite extraordinary progress, 5G implementation in China is not without challenges. The high cost of building and maintaining networks, especially in rural and remote areas, remains significant. “Expanding coverage to all regions will take time and investment,” Ma Xin said.

The next frontier is data infrastructure. China’s Government has set out a comprehensive plan to build unified national data systems, supporting data circulation, secure storage, and green computing. Integrating renewable energy into computing hubs is a priority, supporting both carbon neutrality goals and the power-hungry demands of AI and big data.

5G and Sri Lanka

China’s headline achievements, 5G on Everest, 5G-powered Olympics, smart cities, demonstrate what is possible when ambition and investment align. Sri Lanka, with its world-class tourist sites, cultural festivals, and sports events, can create similar pilot projects.

For example, Sri Lanka could showcase 5G during major events like the Kandy Esala Perahera or cricket tournaments, offering global audiences immersive AR/VR experiences. In tourism, 5G-powered services could enable real-time guides, virtual tours, and smart safety alerts, enhancing both visitor experiences and industry resilience.

Seizing the 5G dividend in Sri Lanka

The economic benefits of 5G in China are clear. For Sri Lanka, the stakes are high. With strong digital infrastructure, sectors like manufacturing, services, creative industries, and agriculture could see major gains in productivity, exports, and job creation.

Small and medium enterprises, which form the backbone of Sri Lanka’s economy, can benefit from digital platforms, e-commerce, and new business models powered by 5G. Green manufacturing, cross-border trade, and fin tech are emerging opportunities. Government and business leaders must create policies and incentives that attract investment, encourage innovation, and ensure affordability and inclusion.

Implementing 5G in Sri Lanka

Implementing 5G in Sri Lanka will require overcoming cost barriers, especially in building and maintaining networks in remote regions. The experience in China shows that State support, clear policy frameworks, and partnerships are essential for success.

Sri Lanka must also invest in digital literacy, cyber security, and regulatory readiness, areas where China’s ongoing reforms offer lessons. Developing a national data infrastructure, as China is now pursuing, will be key for secure data flows and leveraging AI and cloud technologies.

Sri Lanka at the start of its 5G journey

China’s 5G story is one of vision, investment, and rapid transformation. For Sri Lanka, the path forward involves learning from this experience while adapting it to local realities. As Ma Xin notes, “The convergence of 5G, AI, and data infrastructure is propelling China into a new era of digital modernisation.” Sri Lanka now has the chance to embrace this convergence and build a digital economy that is competitive, inclusive, and resilient.

From media innovation to industrial transformation, from smart cities to rural connectivity, the 5G era offers Sri Lanka a new blueprint for progress. The journey will require strategic choices, public and private investment, and a commitment to digital inclusion, but the potential rewards are immense.