Qingdao first city in China to offer full 5G cover on a bus route

The coastal city of Qingdao entered the history books on Tuesday when it became the first city in China to offer 5G network coverage on a city bus line, according to Bandao Online.

This photo taken on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 shows a bus in Qingdao that has accessed a 5G network along its full route, enabling passengers to access a high-speed data service. [Photo: IC]

The next-generation mobile network was switched on for passengers to use on the six buses running on Line 468, which links several popular tourist destinations along its 12-kilometer route, including the city's main bathing beach and Zhongshan Park.

Passengers can access the 5G network using 5G-enabled phones, or by logging into a 5G-driven Wi-Fi network on the buses, according to the city's main bus operator.

The new network was launched by the bus operator in partnership with the telecommunication service provider China Mobile and the tech giant Huawei.

Reporters on one of the buses said it took almost no time for a high-definition video to load while they were connected to the network on the bus.

A passenger accesses the 5G network through a Wi-Fi network on the bus. [Photo: IC]

A spokesman for the bus operator said they plan to open more 5G-enabled bus routes, and that the high-speed data network will eventually allow them to use self-driving buses.

Earlier this year, cities including Jinan and Chongqing tested self-driving buses assisted by a 5G network, offering a glimpse into the future use of the technology in the transportation sector.

(Story includes material sourced from Xinhua.)