During the period from December 23th to 29th, 2025, the following international news occurred:
1. China's 5G mobile phone users reach 1.193 billion, gigabit broadband users reach 239 million
Data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology shows that as of the end of November 2025, China's 5G mobile phone users reached 1.193 billion, accounting for 65.3% of all mobile phone users. Gigabit and above fixed broadband users reached 239 million, accounting for 34.3% of the total. During the same period, cumulative telecom business revenue reached CNY 1.61 trillion, a year-on-year increase of 0.9%, indicating overall stable industry development.
2. China's total 5G base stations reach 4.83 million, a net increase of 579,000 since the beginning of the year
Data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology shows that as of the end of November 2025, China's total number of 5G base stations reached 4.83 million, a net increase of 579,000 since the end of the previous year, accounting for 37.4% of all mobile base stations. During the same period, gigabit network service capacity continued to strengthen, with the number of 10G PON ports reaching 31.34 million. The number of national internet broadband access ports reached 1.25 billion, with fiber access ports accounting for 96.8%, further solidifying network infrastructure.
3. Looking ahead: Indian telecom in 2026
Looking ahead to 2026, the Indian telecom industry will focus on the formal commercial launch of satellite communication services, the expansion of the 5G FWA market, and a new round of tariff hikes to increase ARPU. Additionally, Reliance Jio's IPO, progress on Vodafone Idea's debt restructuring, and the expansion of domestic equipment manufacturers into the global market will be key developments. Investments in AI-driven digital infrastructure and accelerated connectivity coverage in rural areas will also be priorities.
4. Clearing the way for 6G: Trump orders federal systems to vacate the 7.125-7.4 GHz band
Former President Trump signed a presidential memorandum initiating the US 6G spectrum strategy, aiming to lead next-generation communication technology. The core directive is to facilitate the relocation of federal systems occupying the mid-band 7.125-7.4 GHz spectrum within 12 months to free up resources for commercial 6G use. Feasibility studies will be conducted for the 2.69-2.9 GHz and 4.4-4.94 GHz bands, and diplomatic efforts will be leveraged to advance US global 6G leadership.
5. 2025 in review: FWA's fangs stay sharp
In 2025, the US Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) business continued its strong growth, with combined users of the three major operators reaching 14.65 million in the third quarter, with T-Mobile leading at 8 million users. Total industry capacity is approximately 32 million, with a current utilization rate of 55%, and spectrum auctions could provide additional capacity. FWA has significantly impacted the cable industry, but a severe imbalance between its traffic consumption and revenue contribution raises long-term concerns regarding capacity and profitability.
6. The 5G private networking prime cuts of 2025
Looking back at 2025, the global private 5G network market continued to grow, with spending projected to exceed USD 7.2 billion by 2028. Nokia adjusted its strategy, planning to sell its enterprise campus business and focus on mission-critical private networks; Ericsson pursued a broad layout, securing contracts across various industries. Meanwhile, uncertainties surrounding the future allocation of the US CBRS band and the entry of new players like HPE will continue to shape the market landscape in 2026.