China’s 5G Base Stations Reach 4.958 Million, Achieving ‘5G in Every Township’
Published on Reflecto News | Technology & Infrastructure
China’s 5G infrastructure has reached a major milestone, with the total number of 5G base stations across the country hitting 4.958 million as of the end of March 2026 . This data was released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) during a State Council Information Office press conference on April 21, 2026 .
Ubiquitous Coverage: ‘5G in Every Township’
The expansion of this massive network has allowed China to achieve several universal service milestones. According to the MIIT, the nation has successfully realized “5G in every township,” meaning all township-level administrative divisions now have 5G coverage . Additionally, over 95% of administrative villages are now connected to 5G services .
Beyond just availability, the quality of connectivity has improved. Data shows that 269,000 key public venues now have in-depth network coverage, and approximately 654,000 kilometers of roads and railways, along with 316 subway lines, have achieved continuous network coverage .
The Next Phase: 5G-A Expansion
While 5G coverage solidifies, China is rapidly moving toward the next evolution of the technology: 5G-Advanced (5G-A) . The MIIT reports that 5G-A networks have now covered 330 cities across the country .
The growth in infrastructure is also driving a boom in connected devices. The number of mobile Internet of Things (IoT) terminals has reached 2.948 billion units, reflecting the deep integration of 5G into industrial and consumer applications .
The MIIT noted that 5G and gigabit optical networks have now been integrated into 91 of the 97 major sectors of the national economy, fueling digital transformation in areas ranging from healthcare to manufacturing .