As the demand for high-speed data transmission continues to grow, China has officially launched a pilot project for 10G broadband, capable of delivering internet speeds up to 10 gigabits per second (Gbps). This is a wired broadband network, different from 5G mobile networks, where G in 5G refers to “generation,” whereas in 10G, it refers to “gigabits.”
In January 2025, the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced the launch of pilot projects for 10G fiber-optic networks. Recently, the first pilot project was rolled out in Xiong’an New Area, Sunan County, as a joint initiative between Huawei and China Unicom. They tested 50G Passive Optical Network (PON) technology, designed to enhance data transmission efficiency over fiber-optic infrastructure. The test achieved download speeds of 9,834 Mbps (close to 10G) and upload speeds of approximately 1,008 Mbps, with ultra-low latency of 3 milliseconds.
The pilot project lays the groundwork for expanding 10G broadband across China, significantly improving internet infrastructure to meet growing data demands. The ultra-high-speed network isn’t just ideal for gaming and 8K video streaming, but also for advanced applications such as robotics, autonomous vehicles, education, and healthcare, where instantaneous data transmission is critical.
Despite successfully achieving 10G speeds, sustaining high performance for multiple users simultaneously — especially during peak hours — will depend on network planning. If traffic congestion rises, speeds may drop, unless the number of users is factored into the network design from the beginning. Moreover, current internet infrastructure — including servers, routers, and network adapters — needs upgrading to fully support 10G connectivity, ensuring optimal data transfer without bottlenecks.
China’s 10G broadband pilot project represents a breakthrough in next-generation internet technology, positioning the country at the forefront of global innovation in high-speed broadband. It establishes a solid foundation for future smart cities and advanced industrial applications, transforming the digital landscape.
