IN A NUTSHELL
  • 🚀 China has launched the world’s first 10G broadband network in Xiong’an, setting a new global standard for digital innovation.
  • 🏙️ Despite the cutting-edge technology, Xiong’an remains a ghost town with few residents, highlighting the gap between infrastructure and urban life.
  • 🔧 The deployment of 10G serves as a testbed for future urban technologies, demonstrating China’s leadership in digital advancement.
  • 🌐 The success or failure of Xiong’an could influence future smart city initiatives globally, raising questions about the balance between innovation and community needs.

While many countries are still refining their 5G deployments, China is making a bold leap forward. The city of Xiong’an, located about 68 miles from Beijing, has launched the world’s first 10G broadband network. This technological milestone was achieved through a collaboration between Huawei and China Unicom, utilizing cutting-edge 50G-PON (Passive Optical Network) technology. As one of the fastest internet infrastructures ever deployed, this innovation positions China at the forefront of digital advancement. But what does this mean for the future of connectivity, and how will it shape our digital experiences?

The Power of 10G: Transformative Potential

The 10G network in Xiong’an offers download speeds of 10 gigabits per second, allowing users to download an 8K quality movie in mere seconds. This capability paves the way for futuristic applications such as ultra-high-definition streaming, latency-free cloud gaming, and immersive virtual and augmented reality environments. Moreover, it facilitates the development of autonomous vehicle networks, smart urban systems, and the accelerated training of complex artificial intelligence models. The sheer speed and efficiency of this network promise to revolutionize how we interact with technology, bringing a new era of digital experiences that were once considered science fiction.

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A Futuristic City With Few Inhabitants

The impressive technological launch in Xiong’an, however, has an unusual backdrop: the city is nearly devoid of residents. Conceived in 2017 under the directive of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Xiong’an was envisioned as a new technological and ecological hub. Designed around the concept of the “15-minute city,” where everything is within a 15-minute walk, it aims to be a model of green, connected, and resilient urban planning.

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Despite an investment exceeding $100 billion, the city struggles to attract residents and businesses. Media outlets like Bloomberg have labeled it a ghost town, with new skyscrapers standing empty, deserted streets, and an embryonic economy. The stark contrast between the cutting-edge 10G network and the apparent absence of urban life is hard to ignore.

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Betting on the Future

For Chinese authorities, Xiong’an remains a showcase—a large-scale experiment where tomorrow’s urban technologies can be tested without constraints. The deployment of 10G aligns with this vision, demonstrating that China is not merely a follower but a pioneer in digital innovation. The strategy seems to be preparing the infrastructure for a connected world, where every vehicle, building, public service, and personal device is integrated into a high-speed digital web. However, the key question is whether citizens will follow this vision. An ultra-fast network alone does not make a city vibrant, and if Xiong’an remains empty, it might become the symbol of a future too advanced for its time or an urban gamble that overlooked the essential element: people.

The Global Implications of China’s 10G Leap

China’s 10G deployment not only sets a precedent for technological advancement but also raises important questions for the global community. As other nations watch closely, this breakthrough could spur a new wave of competition in digital infrastructure development. Countries may feel pressured to accelerate their own technological innovations to keep pace with China’s rapid progress, potentially reshaping global economic and technological landscapes.

Moreover, the success or failure of Xiong’an could serve as a case study for future smart city initiatives worldwide. Will other countries adopt similar models, or will they learn from the challenges faced by Xiong’an? The answers could significantly influence how cities are planned and developed in the coming decades.

As we witness this rapid evolution in digital infrastructure, the question remains: will technological advancements like China’s 10G network be enough to attract and sustain vibrant, thriving communities, or will they become mere monuments to innovation without addressing the deeper needs of society?

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Eirwen Williams is a New York-based journalist at kore.am, covering science, innovation, Asian American communities, and the cultural impacts of climate and tech. A graduate of NYU’s Journalism Institute, he explores how people and cities adapt to a changing world. His stories spotlight the intersection of identity, activism, and emerging technologies. Contact: [email protected]

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