More than 2,300 telecommunication equipment manufacturers showcased their products at the world's largest gathering for the mobile industry, the Mobile World Congress held in Barcelona, from Feb 26 to March 1. Beijing Youth Daily comments:

The industry showcase revealed that the commercialization of the fifth generation of the mobile communications technology, 5G, can be expected soon. Which means a new generation of smartphones is coming, and another technological and industrial revolution is just around the corner.

4G began replacing 3G in 2010, increasing mobile data transmission speeds tenfold. And 5G will be 100 times faster than the 4G in transmitting mobile data.

In other words, while it takes about 8 minutes to download a film to a smartphone or other mobile devices using 4G, it will take only five seconds in the 5G era.

The 5G technology will materialize the vision of the internet of things, which is expected to spark a boom in smart cities, as well as the related industries.

The drafters of the 5G technology standards, which will be made by the end of 2020 according to the planning of the International Telecommunication Union, welcome advanced enterprises in the field to participate in drawing up the standards.

Chinese enterprises, some of which have already proved their strength in capital and technology while exploring the 5G arena, should take the initiative to participate in drafting the new standards.

A handful of government documents and plans regarding the development of the telecommunication industry show China seeks a leading role in the 5G era.

5G will be the first technological revolution that China has the necessary advantages to play a leading role in, and it is time for the Chinese enterprises in telecommunication research and equipment manufacturing to translate their advantages into action.