In a significant leap forward for mobile connectivity, Huawei and China Telecom have jointly deployed over 3,400 5G-Advanced (5G-A) 3CC base stations across Shanghai. This advanced network infrastructure utilizes 2.1GHz and 3.5GHz frequency bands, combined with F+T multi-carrier aggregation and enhanced uplink technologies.
Unprecedented Speeds and Coverage
The newly deployed stations are engineered to deliver remarkable peak speeds, reaching up to 1Gbps for uploads and nearly 4Gbps for downloads. This substantial upgrade is already making a tangible impact, with core urban commercial districts and pedestrian streets in Shanghai now enjoying continuous uplink coverage of 20Mbps.
For premium users, the network offers an enhanced experience with peak downlink speeds of 3Gbps and peak uplink speeds of 500Mbps, thanks to prioritized scheduling. Shanghai Telecom has ambitious plans, projecting that this advanced 5G-A coverage will extend to all central urban areas of Shanghai by the end of 2026.
Innovative Services and Future Rollouts
Complementing the network upgrade, Shanghai Telecom has launched commercial packages designed for extreme near-point experiences. In a demonstration in Songjiang, the company validated multi-gigabit end-to-end commercial services, enabling VIP users to achieve double the speeds of regular users without compromising the experience for others.
Furthermore, a differentiated service guarantee package for all scenarios is now available. By 2026, in a pilot area in Huangpu District, the company plans to implement WeChat voice and video call guarantees using intelligent boards and dynamic slicing, catering to businesses and specific user needs.
Shaping the Future of Connectivity
Looking ahead to 2025, Shanghai Telecom and Huawei are collaborating to create a comprehensive “water, land, and air”立体 network along the Huangpu River. This initiative will involve deploying CPE and indoor distribution systems on cruise ships, offering AI glasses for rent that provide multi-language explanations and real-time translation.
The technological advancements will be showcased further in June 2026 at the West Bund Art Museum. A demonstration featuring AI glasses will offer an immersive exhibition experience, comparing the performance of the 5G-A network (2.1GHz 8T8R) against older network standards (1.8GHz 4T4R) for multimodal services.
In August 2026, Shanghai Telecom will pilot 5G-A large uplink services with 500Mbps speed packages in key locations such as the Shanghai Stadium, Yu Garden, and the Bund. Initial tests at the Bund have already shown stable uplink speeds exceeding 500Mbps, with over 99% user satisfaction for experiences above 100Mbps.
By March 2026, Shanghai Telecom aims to establish the nation’s first 5G-A x AI commercial network focused on enhanced uplink capabilities. While the technology is ready, the company is actively building commercial closed-loops for various industries including government, culture, tourism, and healthcare, signaling a robust future for integrated 5G-A and AI applications.
Note: 5G-A, or 5G-Advanced, represents a crucial evolutionary stage towards 6G. 3CC signifies three-carrier aggregation, a technique used to boost data speeds by combining multiple frequency bands.
