China Mobile Orders First Test Batch of 5G Phones

Leading wireless carrier China Mobile said it has placed its first orders for test-use 5G handsets and other end-devices for the new technology since winning a commercial 5G license a week ago.

The relatively modest order for 10,100 5G phones comes as China adds urgency to its drive to build up super-high-speed wireless networks that will power a wide range of data-intensive applications in the future, such as autonomous driving and telemedicine. A small number of countries, including the U.S. and South Korea, have already launched limited commercial 5G services. But service on a similar scale in China isn’t expected until next year.