Launch of China's Pioneering Pre-6G Test Network in Nanjing

On April 21, 2026, during the opening ceremony of the Global 6G Conference in Nanjing, Purple Mountain Laboratories announced the official operation of China's first Pre-6G test network. This development marks a crucial advancement in next-generation wireless technology, blending cutting-edge 6G innovations with existing 5G infrastructure. The network spans 10 base stations across Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, and is designed primarily for research and demonstration purposes.

The launch underscores China's aggressive push in telecommunications, positioning the country at the forefront of the global race toward 6G deployment expected around 2030. Attendees at the conference, held from April 21 to 23, witnessed live demonstrations highlighting the network's potential to revolutionize industries through ultra-high-speed connectivity and intelligent features.

Understanding Pre-6G Technology

Pre-6G refers to transitional technologies that incorporate key 6G elements into current 5G networks, serving as a bridge to full 6G commercialization. Unlike 5G, which primarily focuses on enhanced mobile broadband, ultra-reliable low-latency communication, and massive machine-type communications, 6G aims for terabit-per-second speeds, integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), and AI-native networks. The term 'Pre-6G' specifically denotes experimental systems testing these advanced capabilities in real-world settings without requiring a complete overhaul of existing infrastructure.

This approach allows operators like China Mobile, a key partner in the project, to validate 6G prototypes efficiently. By embedding 6G modules such as advanced beamforming, terahertz spectrum utilization, and AI-driven resource allocation into 5G core, the Nanjing network achieves seamless upgrades.

Key Technical Specifications and 5G Comparisons

The Nanjing Pre-6G test network boasts overall performance up to 10 times that of standard 5G networks in critical metrics. It delivers ultra-high bandwidth capable of supporting peak download speeds exceeding those of current 5G deployments, long-range coverage extending signal reach significantly beyond traditional cells, and sub-millisecond latency for mission-critical applications.

• Bandwidth: Multi-gigabit per second, enabling massive data transfers like 8K holographic video in real-time.
• Coverage: Enhanced propagation using higher frequency bands with intelligent repeaters, covering larger areas with fewer base stations.
• Latency: Deterministic low latency below 1ms, ideal for autonomous systems.
• Spectrum Efficiency: 10x improvement via AI optimization and non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA).

For context, while 5G peaks at around 20 Gbps in lab conditions, Pre-6G pushes toward 100+ Gbps field rates, drawing from Purple Mountain Labs' prior terahertz achievements of 206 Gbps.

Ten Forward-Looking Application Scenarios

The network showcases 10 innovative applications, demonstrating practical uses across sectors. These scenarios leverage the combined communication-sensing paradigm of 6G.

• Aerial sentry systems for drone surveillance with real-time 360-degree mapping.
• Smart factories with collaborative robots performing complex assembly at human speeds.
• Holographic remote surgery enabling precise telesurgery over long distances.
• Extended reality (XR) metaverses for immersive virtual collaboration.
• Intelligent transportation with vehicle-to-everything (V2X) for Level 5 autonomy.
• Digital twins for predictive maintenance in energy grids.
• Ubiquitous IoT sensing for environmental monitoring.
• AI-driven edge computing for instant data analytics.
• Secure satellite-terrestrial integration for global coverage.
• Brain-computer interfaces with ultra-low latency feedback loops.

These demos, powered by the network's capabilities, illustrate how Pre-6G could transform daily life and industry by 2030. For instance, aerial sentries use ISAC to detect threats while communicating vast video feeds seamlessly.

Purple Mountain Laboratories: The Driving Force

Purple Mountain Laboratories (PMLabs), established in Nanjing, is a national key R&D hub backed by China Mobile, Huawei, and government funding. Renowned for 6G breakthroughs, including the world's first 6G field test network in 2025, PMLabs has amassed over 300 key 6G technologies. The Pre-6G network builds on their expertise in terahertz communication, massive MIMO, and AI integration.

Located in Nanjing, a hub for telecom innovation, PMLabs collaborates with industry giants to accelerate from lab to field trials.

China's Ambitious 6G Roadmap to 2030

China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) laid the groundwork, with the 15th Plan emphasizing 6G leadership. Key milestones include first-phase trials completed in January 2026, standards by 2029, and commercial launch by 2030. Investments exceed billions, with IMT-2030 Promotion Group coordinating efforts.

The Nanjing network is a pre-commercial testbed, paving the way for nationwide pilots in 2027-2028. By 2035, 6G is projected to contribute trillions to GDP through new industries.

The Global 6G Race: China's Lead

China holds 40% of global 6G patents, surpassing the US (35%), Japan (10%), EU (9%), and Korea (4%). While the US focuses on Next G Alliance for security-centric 6G, EU's Hexa-X emphasizes sustainability, and Korea/Japan build testbeds, China's field deployments give it an edge.

• US: DARPA programs, commercial trials post-2028.
• EU: €900M investment, standards focus.
• Korea: KRW 625B R&D, pre-6G demos 2026.
• Japan: Beyond 5G promotion, satellite-6G integration.

This lead positions China to influence ITU 6G standards.

Economic and Sectoral Impacts

The Pre-6G network promises to boost manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and entertainment. Smart factories could increase productivity 30-50%, while autonomous logistics reduces costs by 20%. In Nanjing, a manufacturing powerhouse, it supports 'Made in China 2025' goals.

Globally, 6G markets projected at $1T by 2035, with China capturing significant share through exports of equipment and standards-compliant devices. Telecom operators anticipate new revenue from sensing services and XR platforms.

Challenges Ahead

Despite progress, hurdles remain: spectrum allocation above 100 GHz faces propagation issues, energy efficiency for dense networks needs optimization, and cybersecurity for AI-native systems is paramount. International standardization requires cooperation amid US-China tensions.

Interoperability with global 5G/6G ecosystems and supply chain resilience are critical.

Photo by Zalfa Imani on Unsplash

Future Outlook and Global Implications

The Nanjing launch accelerates 6G from vision to reality, potentially reshaping digital economies. As trials expand, expect hybrid Pre-6G services in industrial parks by 2027. China's model of state-industry synergy could set the pace, urging competitors to intensify efforts.

Stakeholders anticipate transformative applications driving innovation, though equitable access and ethical AI use will be key concerns.