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China has officially launched the world’s first 10G broadband network in the futuristic city of Xiong’an, setting a new global benchmark in internet infrastructure.
The milestone was achieved through a collaboration between Chinese tech giant Huawei and state-owned telecom operator China Unicom, leveraging cutting-edge 50G Passive Optical Network (PON) technology.
The 10G broadband network promises revolutionary internet speeds, delivering download rates of up to 9834 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 1008 Mbps, with latency as low as 3 milliseconds.
According to Statista statistics, Xiong’an surpasses both Singapore and the UAE in terms of rapid internet due to its fixed broadband speeds exceeding 521 Mbps, which places China in a prominent position.
The smart city concept was established by President Xi Jinping in 2017, and Xiong’an is located 70 miles southwest of Beijing. Xiong’an functions as a sustainable innovation center due to its “15-minute life circle” design, which enables all residents to access essential services by walking for 15 minutes.
Future Applications of 10G Broadband
The new 10G broadband network is not merely a technological enhancement; it is a fundamental component of China’s overarching smart city objectives. The network facilitates smooth 8K video streaming, real-time cloud gaming, and instantaneous communication, enabling the transfer of a 20GB 4K movie in under 20 seconds. This sets the stage for advanced applications, including:
- Self-driving vehicle networks
- Immersive virtual and augmented reality environments
- Remote healthcare and telemedicine services
- Enhanced AI capabilities and real-time data processing
- Advanced educational and agricultural technologies
“This launch marks a transformative moment not only for China but for global telecommunications,” said a representative from Huawei. “The 10G network is the cornerstone of future urban infrastructure, supporting everything from intelligent transport to AI-driven city management.”
Challenges and Considerations
However, despite the technological fanfare, Xiong’an has drawn mixed reactions. The Chinese government promotes the city’s green digital systems. However, Bloomberg media and other international reports refer to the city as a “ghost town” due to its sparse population and lack of private sector activity. The city’s capacity to attract corporations and population is contingent upon the $100 billion investment in development.
The future of Xiong’an as a prospering smart metropolis or a mere high-tech showcase was yet to be determined. But one thing is certain: the 10G broadband revolution has begun, and the world is watching.
