The China telecom market size, valued at USD 491.00 Billion in 2025 has experienced significant growth, driven by the expanding urban population and their rising disposable income that is resulting in the growing demand for high-bandwidth telecom services, including 5G network connections. The market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.10% from 2026 to 2035, potentially reaching USD 666.30 Billion by 2035, supported by government efforts such as the launch of telecom satellites, and the promotion of research for the development of 6G networks.
Base Year
Historical Period
Forecast Period
China’s urban population, estimated by the World Bank to grow to 1 billion by 2030, is driving the demand for high-bandwidth telecom services in the country.
According to China’s State Council, the country’s rising per capita disposable income, recorded at USD 5,511 in 2023, is a key factor driving the consumption of 5G telecom services.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), China had accumulated nearly 3.75 million 5G base stations by the end of April 2024.
| China Telecom Market Report Summary | Description | Value |
| Base Year | USD Billion | 2025 |
| Historical Period | USD Billion | 2019-2025 |
| Forecast Period | USD Billion | 2026-2035 |
| Market Size 2025 | USD Billion | 491.00 |
| Market Size 2035 | USD Billion | 666.30 |
| CAGR 2019-2025 | Percentage | XX% |
| CAGR 2026-2035 | Percentage | 3.10% |
| CAGR 2026-2035 - Market by Region | Southwestern China | 3.5% |
| CAGR 2026-2035 - Market by Region | Northwestern China | 3.3% |
| CAGR 2026-2035 - Market by Service | Machine-to-Machine (Mobile IoT) Services | 3.9% |
| CAGR 2026-2035 - Market by Transmission | Wireless | 4.4% |
| 2025 Market Share by Region | North China | 13.2% |
The increasing adoption of satellite phone services, driven by the lack of adequate connectivity infrastructure in rural regions, is enhancing the growth of the China telecom market. In response, the country has raised the number of satellite deployments at an accelerated pace, especially from suitable bases such as Hong Kong, to provide high-speed internet, voice, and broadcast services to areas where traditional terrestrial infrastructure is difficult or expensive to implement. China made Hong Kong a key launch hub for the expansion of direct-to-phone satellite service in May 2024, in collaboration with Hong Kong Telecom, Hutchinson Telecom, and SmarTone organisations.
Besides, strategic partnerships among major telecom industry players are also becoming a significant growth driver of the market. Telecom companies in China are increasingly collaborating with global technology firms, content providers, and infrastructure developers to expand their service offerings and improve network capabilities. For instance, in 2023, ABB and China Telecom unveiled a joint digitalisation and industrial IoT laboratory in Hangzhou, China, focusing on the development of comprehensive digital solutions that incorporate ABB sensor technology, China Telecom’s 5G network, industrial IoT and connectivity technology, as well as cloud computing.
Compound Annual Growth Rate
3.1%
Value in USD Billion
2026-2035
*this image is indicative*
The expansion of 5G services, the launch of new telecom satellites, and rising foreign investments are driving the China telecom market value.
The expansion of 5G services is driving significant growth in market by enabling faster and more reliable connectivity across industries. Telecom leaders such as China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom leading the rollout, 5G is transforming multiple projects and industries such as the development of smart cities, autonomous vehicle manufacturing, and expansion of IoT services, while boosting demand for high-speed services, including HD video streaming and real-time gaming. In September 2022, China Broadcasting Network Corp (China Broadnet), officially expanded its 5G services to all 31 provincial-level regions, where China Telecom and China Unicom received 100mHz in the 3.5GHz band respectively.
The launch of new telecom satellite is playing a crucial role in the development of China’s telecom market by enhancing connectivity in both urban and remote areas, especially, where traditional infrastructure is negligible or unavailable. These satellites are improving internet access, communications, and broadcasting services, thereby driving economic growth, and bridging the digital divide across the country. China Mobile launched two low earth orbit experimental telecom satellites in February 2024 to test 5G and 6G infrastructure spanning across the country, specifically in terms of integrating satellite and terrestrial networks.
Rising foreign investments are promoting infrastructure development, innovation, and technological advancements in the telecom industry, thereby increasing its overall market value. Global investors are seeking to tap the market’s vast potential, to accelerate the rollout of next-generation networks, including 5G and 6G, particularly in underserved areas. Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), in April 2024, officially launched a pilot program to remove the longstanding 50% foreign ownership cap on data centres and other value-added telecom services (VATS), allowing full foreign ownership in the sector.
The expansion of key players into international markets is aiding the revenue growth of the China telecom industry. A few of these players include China Telecom, China Mobile, Huawei and ZTE. In November 2024, China Telecom Gulf officially launched its business operations in Riyadh, marking a significant effort in the company’s efforts to offer comprehensive services under the "Belt and Road Initiative" and to promote the building of a "China-Arab Community with a Shared Future”. These initiatives are enabling Chinese companies to leverage economies of scale, expand customer base, and foster cross-border collaborations, thereby strengthening their position in the domestic and international telecom markets.
China has begun testing 6G technology, opening new opportunities for the telecom industry in the long run. In July 2024, a team of Chinese researchers from the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications revealed the ‘world’s first’ 6G field test network, demonstrating that communication could achieve 6G transmission capabilities using existing 4G infrastructure. If deployed, the network is expected to deliver ultra-high speeds, near-zero latency, and seamless connectivity across a diverse range of devices in a far superior way when compared to 5G technology, supporting the China telecom market. Additionally, it will facilitate transformative applications such as immersive augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), advanced AI-powered services, autonomous systems, and the Internet of Everything (IoE).
The EMR’s report titled “China Telecom Market Report and Forecast 2026-2035” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:
Market Breakup by Service
Market Breakup by Transmission
Market Breakup by Region
| CAGR 2026-2035 - Market by | Region |
| Southwestern China | 3.5% |
| Northwestern China | 3.3% |
| East China | 3.2% |
| North China | XX% |
| Southcentral China | XX% |
| Northeast China | XX% |
Launch of new OTT platforms is increasing the telecom-based pay-TV services in China
With an increasing shift in consumer preferences towards on-demand content, OTT platforms such as iQIYI, Tencent Video, and Youku are transforming the television entertainment landscape. This is further being enhanced by new OTT launches such as the LaLiga Plus direct-to-consumer (DTC) platform launched nationwide in August 2022, which provided access to live matches free of cost, with high-profile content reserved pay-per-view (PPV). These platforms offer a wide range of exclusive content, attracting millions of subscribers, and encouraging telecom providers to capitalise on the same by bundling Pay-TV services with high-speed broadband and mobile data packages.
As per the China telecom market report, the growing number of internet users in China is also driving an increase in fixed internet access services by telecom providers. According to a report by the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), the country, had over 1.09 billion internet users as of December 2023, a year-on-year increase of 24.8 million from December 2022. This increase has raised the demand for fixed broadband or internet access services, encouraging telecom providers to enhance their offerings with faster speeds and more competitive pricing.
Growing number of smartphone users are increasing the share of wireless transmission in the telecom industry
The growing number of smartphone users is significantly increasing the share of wireless transmission in China telecom market, as they have become essential for daily communication in the 21st century. According to the industry reports, domestic smartphone sales in the country grew by 2.3% year-on-year in the September 2024 quarter. Furthermore, smartphones are not only used as wireless telecom devices, but are also being leveraged for online entertainment, and conducting business activities with the help of digital transactions, driving a greater reliance on wireless networks, particularly 4G and 5G technologies, to support the high-speed data transfer and seamless connectivity.
As per the China telecom market analysis, the share of wireline transmission is also increasing due to the expansion of optical fibre networks in Chinese provinces. These networks offer higher bandwidth and faster speeds compared to traditional copper lines, making them essential for meeting the increasing demand for data-intensive services such as video conferencing, high-definition streaming, and large-scale cloud computing. China expanded its optical fibre network in 2023, by installing nearly 4.74 million km of optical fibre cable, bringing the national total to 64.32 million km, according to the estimates from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
East China is leading the China telecom market owing to increasing efforts of 5G expansion by key market players
In East China, Shanghai has emerged as a leading hub for 5G services in China, with key industry players consistently participating in 5G expansion efforts. The city's advanced infrastructure, high-tech industries, and demand for seamless connectivity are key factors encouraging the China telecom market growth. Besides, 5G technology is contributing to the city’s overall growth by aiding the development of smart cities, Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, and autonomous systems. As a result, telecom operators are investing heavily in 5G network deployment eyeing future growth and stability in the telecom market. On May 20, 2024, the China Association of Metros approved the standards of these networks, paving the way to introduce 5G technology to rail transport across the city.
Besides, Beijing’s rising urban population is also driving the growth of the China telecom market. According to the country’s National Statistics Office, the city’s urban population grew from 41,540 in 2022 to 43,760 in 2023. This rise has contributed significantly towards the demand for mobile and broadband services, especially advanced network connections, including 4G and 5G. Besides, the city’s dense population drives high data consumption across mobile networks, as well as increasing demand for high-speed internet and digital services.
China telecom market key players are expanding their product and services range to include emerging technologies such as 5G, satellite communication devices, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) and more. They are also investing in the research and development of 6G networks, aiming for future growth and long-term stability in the market.
ZTE Corp. was founded in 1985, with headquarters in Shenzen, China. It is a leading global provider of integrated information and technology communication (ICT) services. Its specialities include enterprise telecom solutions, carrier networks, development of mobile devices, and providing 5G, LET, 4G, and AI services.
Based in China, it was founded in 2006 as a global communication devices and semiconductors manufacturing company. In the semiconductor segment, the company specialises in the R&D and design of semiconductor power devices and analogue chips, besides wafer manufacturing, packaging, and testing. Among communication devices, the company is widely known for its mobile phones, tablets, laptops, IoT, and automotive electronic products.
Founded in 1991, and headquartered in Melbourne, Victoria, Singtel Optus is a leading distributor of mobile and internet services. It specialises in selling mobile plans, mobile phone devices, home internet and prepaid internet services. Besides, the company is also a well-known distributor of tablets and smartwatches across the globe.
Headquartered in Beijing, itis a subsidiary of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) specialising in satellite communications and broadcasting services. It provides secure and reliable TV broadcasting and transmissions to the public, customised clients, and key industrial customers, including timely and reliable communications capacity serving major events, emergencies, and disaster relief efforts.
*Please note that this is only a partial list; the complete list of key players is available in the full report. Additionally, the list of key players can be customized to better suit your needs.*
Other key players considered in the China telecom market report are Tencent Holdings Ltd., China Telecom Corp., China United Network Communications Group Co., Ltd., Jiangsu Zhongtian Technology Co., Ltd., China Railway Signal & Communication Corp. Ltd., and FiberHome Telecommunication Technologies Co., Ltd., among others.
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*While we strive to always give you current and accurate information, the numbers depicted on the website are indicative and may differ from the actual numbers in the main report. At Expert Market Research, we aim to bring you the latest insights and trends in the market. Using our analyses and forecasts, stakeholders can understand the market dynamics, navigate challenges, and capitalize on opportunities to make data-driven strategic decisions.*
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In 2025, the market reached an approximate value of USD 491.00 Billion.
The China telecom market is assessed to grow at a CAGR of 3.10% between 2026 and 2035.
The market is estimated to witness healthy growth in the forecast period of 2026-2035 to reach a value of around USD 666.30 Billion by 2035.
The regional markets include North China, East China, Southwestern China, Southcentral China, Northeast China, and Northwestern China.
The various types of telecom services include fixed voice services, fixed internet access services, mobile voice services, mobile data services, pay-TV services, and machine-to-machine (Mobile IoT) services.
The major transmission types studied in the market report are wireless and wireline.
The key players in the market are Tencent Holdings Ltd., China Telecom Corp., ZTE Corp., China United Network Communications Group Co., Ltd., Wingtech Technology Co. Ltd., Singtel Optus Pty, Jiangsu Zhongtian Technology Co., Ltd., China Railway Signal & Communication Corp. Ltd., FiberHome Telecommunication Technologies Co., Ltd., and China Satellite Communications Co. Ltd., among others.
Explore our key highlights of the report and gain a concise overview of key findings, trends, and actionable insights that will empower your strategic decisions.
| REPORT FEATURES | DETAILS |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Historical Period | 2019-2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026-2035 |
| Scope of the Report |
Historical and Forecast Trends, Industry Drivers and Constraints, Historical and Forecast Market Analysis by Segment:
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| Breakup by Service |
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| Breakup by Transmission |
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| Breakup by Region |
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| Market Dynamics |
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| Competitive Landscape |
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| Companies Covered |
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