China's tech companies are 5G ready as commercial 5G licenses released

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued the country's first commercial 5G network licenses on Thursday, with the first batch going to the major telecommunication service providers China Telecom, China Mobile, China Unicom and China Broadcasting Network.

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued 5G licenses for commercial use on Thursday, June 6, 2019. [Photo: China Plus]

Following the announcement, Huawei issued a statement on Weibo saying that it "will continue to support Chinese operators and work with industry partners to contribute to 5G industry innovations and build the new engine of the 5G digital economy."

The company unveiled its 5G base station chipset "Tiangang" in January 2019, following the release last year of the Balong 5G01, said to be the world's first commercial chipset that adheres to the new 5G network standards.

The Huawei Balong 5G01, said to be the world's first commercial chipset that adheres to the new 5G network standards, seen here on February 25, 2018 in Barcelona on the eve of the Mobile World Congress. [Photo: AFP]

Other Chinese tech companies have 5G offerings of their own. The Reno 5G handset made by OPPO is now available on the mainland market. Vivo's 5G mobile phone is undergoing testing ahead of its release. And the Mi MIX 3 5G by Xiaomi was launched in Switzerland at the start of last month.

Donovan Sung, Director of Product Management and Marketing at Xiaomi Global, introduces the Mi MIX 3 5G at the Mobile World Congress on February 24, 2019 in Barcelona. [Photo: VCG]

A Reno 5G handset by OPPO seen here at a flagship shop in Shanghai on Thursday, June 6, 2019. [Photo: VCG]