The recently held State Council executive meeting listened to a report on the construction of the new generation communication network. The meeting pointed out that we should actively adapt to the trend of the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, firmly grasp the opportunity of the construction of the new generation communication network, adhere to application driven and moderately advanced, coordinate the construction of basic networks, spatial networks, international networks, and integrated networks, and consolidate and enhance the competitive advantage of China's information and communication industry.
Industry insiders believe that the construction of the new generation communication network will systematically drive the upgrading of the entire industry chain. Its industrial value is not only reflected in the communication equipment itself, but also in leveraging the vast application market of the intelligent economy, creating dual opportunities for technological iteration and scale expansion for various links in the industry chain. According to calculations, in the next five years, the new generation communication network is expected to drive a total output of about 7 trillion yuan upstream and downstream, and drive GDP growth by about 1.5 percentage points.
Zhang Tiantian, Director of the Intelligent Communication Research Office at the Electronic Information Research Institute of the China Academy of Electronic Information Industry Development, stated that the new generation communication network is a comprehensive network system based on the integration of sensing, computing, and intelligence, covering the integration of air, space, and sea. It mainly includes 5G-A and 6G mobile networks, 10G optical networks, aerospace networks, and supporting technologies such as quantum secure communication. It is an information artery that activates data elements and comprehensively expands intelligent applications.
Deng Daozheng, Vice President of the Saizhi Industry Research Institute, stated that the construction of the new generation communication network is not just about building a wider and faster information highway, but also about building an intelligent neural system that can perceive and calculate, deeply integrating with AI and computing power, and synergistically empowering water networks, new power grids, computing power networks, etc., achieving the coordinated development of the "six networks" and providing innovative foundations for high-value scenarios such as smart cities and intelligent manufacturing.
As of the first half of this year, the scale of intelligent computing power in China has reached 2185EEFOPS, a year-on-year increase of 177%; Approve the license for the use of 6G test frequency in the 6GHz frequency band and accelerate the second phase of 6G technology testing; Over 80000 virtual private networks have been established in the 5G industry, and 5G and gigabit optical network applications have been integrated into 94 major categories of the national economy.
The meeting pointed out the need to strengthen innovation driven and intelligent leadership, popularize and promote the new generation of intelligent terminals, actively cultivate high-value scenarios such as smart cities and intelligent manufacturing, and continuously strengthen the industrial ecosystem.
Deng Daozheng believes that the construction of the new generation communication network will become a key force driving the upgrading of the digital economy and intelligent industries. Drive the development of high-frequency semiconductors and materials, core chips, optical communication devices, satellite core components, etc. in the field of core technology and key components; In terms of network equipment and infrastructure construction, it is expected to drive trillion level investment. In the field of intelligent terminals and industry applications, it will significantly drive the development of new generation intelligent terminals, sensing modules, intelligent sensing devices, and promote the growth of industries such as low altitude economy, autonomous driving, and embodied intelligence.
Faced with market prospects, a group of listed companies are increasing their investment in technology and capital. For example, China Telecom disclosed in the release of its 2026 interim results that it will moderately advance the construction of a new generation communication network and computing power network, accelerate the construction of AIDC (Artificial Intelligence Data Center) and computing power, build "new eight vertical and eight horizontal" backbone optical cables, accelerate the evolution towards 400G/800G all-optical networks, and reduce network latency. Zhenyou Technology recently disclosed a fixed increase plan of 1.069 billion yuan, and the net amount after deducting the issuance costs is planned to invest in satellite Internet communication product research and development and industrialization projects, all-optical network system research and development and industrialization projects.
Zhang Tiantian believes that for enterprises related to the industrial chain, they should focus on the three major opportunities of technological breakthroughs, scene integration, and ecological synergy, and deeply cultivate the core track to seek development. Including key core areas such as 6G sensing fusion, intelligent metasurfaces, and terahertz devices, strengthening technological innovation and building strong technological competition barriers.
While promoting the high-quality development of industries, it is also necessary to build a strong information security defense line and improve supporting mechanisms to ensure security. The meeting pointed out the need to strengthen critical network infrastructure and data security protection, enhance emergency communication capabilities, and ensure network and information security. We need to improve the construction mechanism guided by the government, with enterprises as the mainstay and social participation, and ensure the protection of factors such as land, electricity, and spectrum, in order to stimulate the enthusiasm of various entities.
Deng Daozheng suggested strengthening top-level overall planning, establishing a cross departmental normalized coordination mechanism, coordinating communication, computing power, land, energy, and spectrum management, breaking through project implementation bottlenecks, and avoiding redundant construction; At the same time, we should make good use of the leading role of government investment funds, encourage financial institutions to develop special credit products, support eligible projects to carry out REITs pilots, expand social capital investment channels, and attract operators, Internet enterprises, and industrial chain enterprises to participate in investment, construction, and operation. (Looking into the New Era)