Proportion of fiber optic cables used by China Mobile China Telecom and China Unicom

China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom collectively dominate China's fiber network, with China Mobile leading in cable deployment.Overview of Fiber in China

China has aggressively deployed fiber optic networks, making fiber the backbone of its fixed broadband infrastructure. By the end of September 2024, there were approximately 637 million FTTx subscriptions, representing around 95% of all fixed broadband lines in China, with nearly 99% of lines on fiber-optic cables . This extensive deployment supports gigabit broadband, smart cities, and national digitalization initiatives.

Operator-Specific Deployment

• China Mobile: As of 2022, China Mobile had deployed around 19.4 million kilometers of fiber cables, making it the largest contributor to China's fiber infrastructure .
• China Telecom and China Unicom: While exact fiber lengths are not specified in the sources, these two operators also maintain extensive networks. Given that China Mobile accounts for the largest share, China Telecom and China Unicom together likely cover the remaining portion of the national fiber network. Based on the total installed fiber and the scale of China Mobile's deployment, a rough estimate suggests that China Mobile may hold around 40–45% of the total fiber infrastructure, with China Telecom and China Unicom sharing the remaining 55–60%, though precise proportions vary by region and network type .

Key Takeaways

• Fiber is the dominant technology for fixed broadband in China, with nearly universal adoption among the three major operators .
• China Mobile leads in fiber cable deployment, reflecting its strategic role in national broadband expansion and support for 5G and IoT networks .
• China Telecom and China Unicom maintain substantial fiber networks, ensuring nationwide coverage and competition in broadband services . Overall, the three operators collectively form the backbone of China's fiber-optic infrastructure, enabling high-speed connectivity and supporting the country's digital economy.