Huawei and China Unicom have unveiled 10G broadband internet in China, offering download speeds of up to 9,834 Mbps. This network is powered by the advanced 50G PON (Passive Optical Network), which boosts maximum download speeds compared to traditional fibre-optic broadband internet. It has also improved latency, and this is said to be the next biggest upgrade in global internet architecture.
10G Internet in China: What is it?
10G internet is a codename for a new broadband internet technology showcased in a real-world demo in Sunan City, Hebei Province, China. It uses a modified and upgraded version of fibre optic cables called 50G PON. This enables high-speed internet of up to 10 Gbps with extremely low latency.
The initial trials conducted by Huawei and China Unicom showed download speeds of up to 9,834 Mbps and upload speeds of 1,008 Mbps, with a latency of just 3ms. These are just the trial speeds, and the technology has yet to be implemented on a public rollout.
It is worth noting that the 10G codename here highlights the technology’s speed capabilities. This has nothing to do with 4G, 5G, 6G, and other wireless telecom networks, which we use for cellular connectivity on our smartphones.
The announcement of 10G broadband internet in China is significant because traditional FTTH connections max out at 1 Gbps. Although fibre-optic supports higher theoretical speeds, the gigabit cap ensures that everyone gets seamless and stable connectivity. The upcoming 50G PON technology will further expand this bandwidth at the household level, but the exact upper limit is not known.
When will 10G come to India?
Currently, there are no plans or trials of 10G broadband internet in India. Domestic broadband internet connections in India are supported up to 1 Gbps, and corporate entities get access to higher speeds. These limits are expected to stay in place for a while, as there is not enough demand for speeds beyond the gigabit speeds.
In addition to fibre-optic broadband, India is now witnessing a boom in 5G-based FWA broadband connections. These use the 5G wireless spectrum to deploy broadband-like gigabit speeds without having a physical fibre connection to your home. For a better understanding, you can also read our guide on how 5G-FWA technology works.
Since 2023, Airtel and Jio have completed the nationwide 5G rollout in India in record time. Vi has also launched its 5G services in select cities, including Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, and Kolkata. However, Airtel and Jio dominate the 5G-FWA segment.
Jio is also expanding its Jio Gigafibre network in the country. Telcos’ current focus is to connect more people to broadband internet services, especially in rural and remote areas. Hence, the introduction of 10G-level (10 Gbps speeds) could take a while to arrive in India.
