On April 20, 2025, China Unicom and Huawei launched the world’s first 10-gigabit-per-second (10G) broadband network in Xiong’an New Area, Hebei Province, utilizing 50G Passive Optical Network (PON) technology. This groundbreaking network achieves impressive real-world speeds, with download speeds of up to 9,834 Mbps, upload speeds reaching 1,008 Mbps, and a latency as low as 3 milliseconds. For context, a 20GB file can be downloaded in under 20 seconds, showcasing a significant leap from traditional broadband services.
The 50G PON technology boosts data transmission over existing fiber-optic networks, enabling high-bandwidth applications like 8K video streaming, augmented and virtual reality, and cloud computing. This development is crucial for enhancing smart cities, telemedicine, remote education, and precision agriculture.
The network marks a significant achievement for Huawei and China Unicom, positioning China as a leader in global broadband technology. This milestone surpasses current commercial broadband speeds in nations such as the UAE and Qatar. While the first deployment is in Xiong’an, China’s long-term plan is to expand the network nationally, contingent on infrastructure and market demand.
This launch aligns with China’s broader digital strategy, which includes improving broadband access, advancing cloud infrastructure, and preparing for the surge of smart devices and artificial intelligence. The 10G broadband network signifies China’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of connectivity for future technologies.
