The Shanxi Communications Administration recently announced Shanxi's annual work objectives, key tasks and safeguard measures in its future plan.

In 2023, the 5G network coverage of villages in the province is expected to reach 75 percent. The province will also realize 5G and gigabit optical network coverage in 100 rural e-towns, which are towns famous for their e-commerce development.

Shanxi will continue to implement its telecommunications service project, improve communications network facilities, accelerate the large-scale equipment deployment of 10 gigabit passive optical networks in rural areas, and further the integration and application of new generation information agricultural technologies in rural areas. 

The plan puts forward seven key tasks, including the construction of 5G base stations in rural areas, and the pilot construction of digital villages. Other tasks include the expansion of 5G and gigabit optical network coverage in 10 characteristic professional towns; the construction of rural communications infrastructure along the Great Wall No 1, Taihang No 1 and the Yellow River No 1 tourist highways; and the establishment of a rural telemedicine service system.

Measures to guarantee the completion of these goals will include improving work mechanisms, reducing fees for rural networks, implementing accurate monitoring of 5G networks, and strengthening information sharing.