How many 5G base stations are there in China?

With 4.19 million 5G base stations already operational across China, the MIIT emphasized that “promoting 5G revolution and 6G innovation will be one of the priorities” for 2025, according to a report by Chinese newspaper China Daily. Chinese main operators are China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom.

How many telecom base stations are there in China in 2024?

In 2024, the number of telecom base stations in China is expected to increase to 12.65 million. Based on this, we estimate that the total electricity consumption of telecom base stations in China in 2024 will be 146,242.621 GWh.

What are the different types of 5G base stations?

From the perspective of equipment architecture, 5G base stations can be divided into different architectures such as BBU-AAU, CU-DU-AAU, BBU-RRU-Antenna, CU-DU-RRU-Antenna, and integrated gNB.

Do communication base station operations increase electricity consumption in China?

Comparing data from 2021, 2025, and 2030, 41 we found that the electricity consumption due to communication base station operations in China increased annually.

Should China upgrade to low-carbon base stations?

These outcomes demonstrate that upgrading to low-carbon base stations not only ensures economic feasibility but also delivers significant environmental and public health benefits, reinforcing the strategic value of decarbonizing China’s communication infrastructure.

Can China's communications industry reduce reliance on grid-powered systems?

While focused on China, the model and findings can serve as a blueprint for countries worldwide facing similar energy and infrastructure challenges in the age of digital expansion. It is important for China’s communications industry to reduce its reliance on grid-powered systems to lower base station energy costs and meet national carbon targets.