China Mobile's Shanghai branch recently signed a memorandum of collaboration with the Hongqiao Central Business District (CBD) government to push forward a pilot 5G mobile network operation in the area.

Key areas such as the National Exhibition and Convention Center, where the world's first national-level import exposition, China International Import Expo, was held last year, will be covered with commercial 5G networks.

Zhang Jianping from China Mobile's Shanghai branch said that 50 base stations will be settled in Hongqiao CBD. The first branch should be put into trial in the first half of this year.

The two sides will also push forward the adoption of 5G technologies in the areas of social and business services.

Hongqiao CBD also hopes to raise industry competitiveness and to support innovative companies in the areas of artificial intelligence and health care to ride the booming trend of information technology.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is aiming to issue temporary 5G licenses in selected cities around the country this year.

The pilot programs would allow consumers in these locations access to the first batch of 5G smartphones and tablet computers in the second half of this year, says Minister Miao Wei.