Mobile communication: An intangible bond connecting the world
From the first generation of analog voice calls to today's 5G Internet of Everything, mobile communication technology has reshaped the communication methods, economic structure and even the form of civilization of human society at an unprecedented speed over the past four decades. As the infrastructure of the information society, mobile communication is not only the "invisible network" behind smart phones, but also a key support for the operation of future industries such as the digital economy, smart cities, telemedicine and autonomous driving.
Mobile Communication refers to a technical system that transmits voice, data and multimedia information between mobile terminals (such as mobile phones, tablets, vehicle-mounted devices, and Internet of Things nodes) and base stations through radio signals. The core lies in breaking free from the constraints of wired connections and achieving information interaction anytime and anywhere.
Since the birth of 1G in the 1980s, mobile communication has undergone five generations of evolution:
1G (1980s) : Analog signal, only supporting voice calls;
2G (1990s) : Digital signals, introducing short message Service (SMS) and low-speed data Service (GPRS);
3G (2000s) : Supports mobile Internet, enabling video calls and mobile browsing;
4G LTE (2010s) : High-speed broadband experience gives rise to new business forms such as short videos, mobile payment and online car-hailing.
5G (starting from 2020s) : Ultra-high speed, ultra-low latency, and massive connections, empowering industrial Internet and the metaverse.
5G: More than Just a "Faster Network
At present, 5G has become the focus of global mobile communication development. But its value goes far beyond the improvement of download speed. 5G redefines connection capabilities through three major technical features:
Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB
The peak rate can reach up to 10 Gbps, supporting 4K/8K live streaming and AR/VR immersive experiences.
Ultra-reliable Low Latency Communication (uRLLC
With latency as low as 1 millisecond, it makes remote surgery, industrial robot collaboration and the Internet of Vehicles possible.
Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC
Each square kilometer can be connected to millions of devices, providing a foundation for smart cities, intelligent agriculture and environmental monitoring.
For instance, at the 5G smart port in Shenzhen, unmanned container trucks receive dispatching instructions in real time through the 5G network, achieving fully automatic loading and unloading. In the 5G+ industrial Internet factory in Zhejiang, sensors on the production line upload thousands of pieces of data every second, and the AI system optimizes process parameters in real time.
6G: The Blueprint for the Future
Although 5G is still being deployed globally, countries around the world have initiated pre-research on 6G. The 6G, which is expected to be commercially available in 2030, will integrate cutting-edge technologies such as terahertz communication, native artificial intelligence networks, and space-air-ground integration (satellites + drones + ground base stations), with the goal of achieving "sensory interconnection" - not only transmitting data but also conveying touch, taste, and even emotions.
From "following" in the 2G era, "breaking through" in 3G, "running side by side" in 4G to "leading" in 5G, China has become an important force in global mobile communications. Huawei, ZTE, China Mobile and other enterprises are at the forefront of the world in 5G standard setting, base station construction and terminal innovation. By 2025, China has built over 4 million 5G base stations, accounting for more than 60% of the global total, achieving continuous coverage in all prefecture-level cities and county urban areas.
Meanwhile, China is actively promoting the commercialization of 5G-A (5G Advanced). As A key stage of the transition from 5G to 6G, it further enhances capabilities such as network perception, integrated communication and sensing, and passive Internet of Things
Mobile communication has long transcended its original functions of making phone calls and sending text messages, evolving into the "nervous system" of modern society. It flows silently between cities and villages, factories and farmlands, the sky and the ocean, closely weaving people, things and data into a dynamic and intelligent global network. In the future, as the 6G era approaches, this network will become even more intelligent, ubiquitous and trustworthy - truly achieving "everything can be connected and everything can be intelligently handled".
