China MIIT launches regional 6G pilot programme

TL;DR
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) launched a joint ministry-provincial 6G pilot programme, according to Xinhua. The programme uses regional pilots to identify 6G use cases, including smart maritime operations and manufacturing. MIIT said the work also covers integration with AI, satellite and wireless sensing, and follows its approval of regional 6GHz trials about a month earlier.

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) launched a “joint ministry-provincial collaborative pilot program” for 6G, according to a Xinhua report published in June 2026. The programme consists of regional pilots intended to identify potential 6G use cases and support progress toward commercial rollout, which Xinhua said is expected around 2030.

MIIT said the pilot programme includes general research into 6G and how it fits with current and emerging technologies. The regional trials will also explore applications tailored to local demand, with examples including smart maritime operations and manufacturing use cases.

MIIT said the programme’s broader goals include integrating communications infrastructure with AI, satellite and wireless sensing, and conducting research and development on new base station technology and other network equipment. The announcement followed MIIT’s approval of regional trials in the 6GHz band around a month earlier.

Related questions

• What is China’s new 6G pilot programme?
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