The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released the "2024 5G Factory Directory" on Nov 19 at the 2024 China 5G+ Industrial Internet Conference. Three enterprises from North China's Shanxi province were included: Shanxi Lanhua Sci-Tech's Bofang Coal Mine 5G Factory, Taiyuan Distillery 5G Smart Factory, and Shanxi Jianlong 5G Factory.

A 5G factory uses next-generation information and communication technologies to build new industrial internet infrastructure and establish or upgrade existing production lines, workshops, and factory-level sites. This builds advanced factories with extensive connectivity of production units, deep integration of information and operational technology, full utilization of data elements, and efficient empowerment of innovative applications.

To promote the innovative development of "5G+ industrial internet" and accelerate the construction of high-level 5G factories, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology determined the "2024 5G Factory Directory" based on recommendations from provincial industry and information departments and communications administrations, as well as evaluations by the Industrial Internet Strategic Advisory Expert Committee.

In recent years, Shanxi has proactively built digital infrastructure, establishing 107,000 5G base stations. The Taiyuan national-level internet backbone direct connection point has been completed, and seven cities, including Taiyuan and Datong, have been recognized as national "gigabit cities".

The province has also expanded "5G+ industrial internet" demonstration application scenarios. It has been a national leader in establishing a full-cycle intelligent coal mine standard system, with 134 intelligent coal mines built to date.