Recently, China Unicom Beijing, in collaboration with Huawei, unveiled the largest commercial 5G-A GigaUplink network globally. This groundbreaking network provides extensive coverage across crucial locations in Beijing, utilizing over 10,000 base stations to ensure connectivity. During a live drive test, seven members of the media were invited to act as “Experience Officers,” allowing them to assess the network’s exceptional coverage and reliable service. The evaluation revealed an impressive 83% effective ratio for the 100 MHz uplink, with only 0.1% of areas experiencing weak connectivity (less than 20 Mbps). These remarkable results illustrate that China Unicom’s premium network has advanced from a citywide 5G-A deployment to a broader regional GigaUplink capability.
In the course of the live drive test, China Unicom Beijing employed a coordinated networking approach using both 3.5 GHz and 2.1 GHz frequencies to evaluate extensive uplink network metrics and the user experience with AI devices. Throughout the 34-kilometer testing route, the network achieved an uplink effective ratio of 83%, with a peak uplink speed reaching 1 Gbps and an average uplink speed of 397 Mbps. Additionally, 72% of the tests indicated an excellent uplink experience (greater than 300 Mbps), while only 0.1% of locations experienced weak connectivity. This outstanding performance in uplink capabilities facilitated smooth interactions in mobile scenarios, allowing for millisecond-level data transmission and seamless communication between AI devices and real-time cloud services for AI analytics and content generation.
Miao Shouye, Senior Vice President of China Unicom, emphasized the rapid integration of artificial intelligence into both industrial and everyday contexts. He noted that the emergence of new services such as AI phones, glasses, smart robots, and low-altitude applications is significantly transforming network connections and business models. Historically, mobile networks prioritized download speeds and information retrieval efficiency. However, with the advent of the Mobile AI era, there is an increasing demand for real-time data transmission to the cloud for immediate analysis and processing. Therefore, networks must not only provide fast downloads but also ensure stable and accurate transmissions. Enhanced uplink capabilities are crucial for supporting real-time interactions in the AI landscape, thereby improving the network’s ability to connect, perceive, and serve real-world applications.
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David Li, President of Huawei’s Wireless TDD Product Line, remarked on the progress of the 5G Capital initiative, which has now reached its sixth year. He highlighted the evolution from extensive global 5G-A demonstrations to citywide commercial deployments, the introduction of the world’s first 5G-A 3D smart network, and now the launch of the largest 5G-A 100 MHz GigaUplink network. Li expressed pride in supporting China Unicom’s network leadership with Huawei’s innovative SUL (Supplementary Uplink) solution. He reaffirmed Huawei’s commitment to continuous innovation in areas such as multi-band pooling, uplink enhancement, and multidimensional coordination, aiming to help China Unicom create a high-quality, user-centric 5G-A network that is well-equipped for the challenges and opportunities of the Mobile AI era.
As networks adapt to the demands of the Mobile AI era, new responsibilities are emerging. Huawei will persist in its partnership with China Unicom to enhance network capabilities and bolster collaboration within the industrial ecosystem. By harnessing advanced, deterministic network functionalities, both organizations aim to support industrial innovation, urban growth, and improved quality of life, ultimately ushering in a new era of intelligent connectivity.
