In China, 5G is driving a digital and intelligent revolution, unlocking vast opportunities for industries and paving the way for modern information superhighways.
China Unicom, a pioneer in this trend, has been driving intelligent digitalization across industries using 5G since 2019. It has deployed 13,000 industry-specific 5G private networks, which serve 41 verticals such as manufacturing, mining, electrical power, and energy, and delivered over 38,000 commercial projects. To showcase its achievements, China Unicom recently organized a media event, taking journalists from China and abroad to Chinese cities such as Baoding, Jinan, and Dongying. There, they witnessed firsthand how 5G is revolutionizing industries like manufacturing, electric power, and oilfield operations.
EA: 4-ms-Latency Production Lines Powered by 5G-A
At Exquisite Automotive (EA), a subsidiary of Great Wall Motor (GWM), 15 new vehicle models are launched each year, necessitating frequent production line changes. This involves re-cabling, which annually costs approximately CNY20 million and takes a lot of time, according to Huang Xiaoli from EA's science and technology department.
To address this challenge, EA has collaborated with China Unicom and Huawei to establish the world's first flexible vehicle production line that leverages 5G-A ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC). Supporting 4-ms low-latency transmission, 5G-A enables wireless connectivity for production line equipment, major work stations, and critical processes, significantly boosting equipment uptime and production efficiency.
World's first 5G-A URLLC flexible vehicle production line at EA
EA has already upgraded four of its production lines with 5G-A, resulting in a 60-hour reduction in annual downtime and a CNY600-million boost in annual output value. With further expansion planned, GWM aims to connect over 5,000 pieces of equipment across its 30 factories via 5G-A and develop over 100 industrial apps to enable flexible manufacturing of complete vehicles and components.
State Grid Shandong: 5G-Driven Digital Transformation
Shandong Province, a major industrial hub in China, has a large population and high power demands. With a power load of over 100 million kW, it requires a substantial number of power terminals. However, the high cost of 5G modules drives up the expense of power terminals, significantly increasing network construction costs and hindering the large-scale adoption of 5G private networks for power grids.
China Unicom adopts reduced capability(RedCap) technology, a lightweight version of 5G, to eliminate non-essential functions, slashing the costs of chips, modules, and terminals. The operator has helped State Grid Shandong Electric Power Company (State Grid Shandong) deploy more than 100,000 5G RedCap power terminals, achieving a significant 60% reduction in power terminal costs. State Grid Shandong is planning to further expand the deployment, with a goal of connecting 400,000 5G power terminals by December 2025, according to Wang Yong, director of the digitalization department at the company.
At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona2024, China Unicom and State Grid Shandong took home the GSMA Global Mobile(GLOMO) "Best Private Network Solution" award for their"Inclusive 5G Smart Grid Solution to Build the World's Largest New Power Supply System".
China Unicom and State Grid Shandong receiving the GSMA GLOMO award at MWC Barcelona 2024
Shengli Oilfield: Safe, Efficient Operations Thanks to China's First 5G-A Base Station for Offshore Oil Production Platforms
The Shengli Oilfield's No. 3 offshore oil production platform is a multi-functional complex that integrates automatic control and power transformation and distribution systems. Measuring 36 meters in height and spanning over 3600 square meters, it serves as the production center and hub of the Shengli Oilfield. This massive platform has produced over11 million tons of crude oil, generating economic benefits exceeding CNY10 billion.
Going digital, the platform requires real-time and high-speed transmission of its production data, video images, and other critical information. China Unicom has served this need by deploying a 5G-A base station dedicated to offshore oil production platforms, which is the first of its kind in China.
5G-A base station deployment on the No. 3 platform
In June 2024, the Shengli Oilfield conducted a live-streamed offshore emergency drill on the No. 3 platform, utilizing the 5G-A private network. Real-time videos and images from the site were transmitted to the control center for immediate monitoring and evaluation.
China Unicom's 5G network has fully covered the 3,345 km coastline in Shandong Province, extending up to 100 km into the sea.
China Unicom is dedicated to driving industry development with cutting-edge communications technologies.As 5G-A networks see wider adoption, the operator will integrate 5G with AI and foundation models to develop 5G-A super applications and upgrade digital capabilities. This will enable high-quality, industry-specific 5G private networks, driving modernization and intelligent transformation across various sectors.
