Chinese mobile operator China Unicom announced plans to launch a 5G trial network in seven major cities

Chinese mobile operator China Unicom announced plans to launch a 5G trial network in seven major cities across the country, local press reported.

The carrier said that the trials will be carried in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Nanjing, Hangzhou and urban Xiong'an New Area.

The carrier's chairman, Wang Xiaochu, confirmed at a company event that 5G coverage will be made available in 33 cities across China and the company will also deploy a 5G private network and create 5G application scenarios in several cities.

China Unicom has formed a 5G application alliance bringing together 32 industrial players including automaker Dongfeng Motor, heavy industry manufacturer ZPMC, equipment maker Huawei and internet company Alibaba, according to local press reports.

China Unicom has also signed an agreement with the Shanghai government aimed at improving the city's fiber optic broadband networks and high-speed mobile communication networks.

Under the terms of the agreement, China Unicom will invest CNY 15 billion ($2.24 billion) in Shanghai by 2021.

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