China Mobile Optical Cable 2020

In 2020, China Mobile significantly expanded its optical cable procurement and advanced high-speed optical transport trials, reflecting growing 5G and data center demands.Procurement OverviewIn 2020, China Mobile conducted centralized procurement of ordinary optical cable products, purchasing approximately 119.2 million core-kilometers of optical cable for one year, marking a record high in recent years and a 19.3% increase compared to 2019 . The maximum bid limit for this procurement was set at 9.86 billion yuan, with a single-core-kilometer price of 69.3 yuan, showing a slight increase from 2020 and indicating a stabilizing market trend . The procurement aimed to support the rapid expansion of 5G access networks, bearer networks, and data centers, which were driving strong demand for high-quality optical communication products .Key SuppliersChina Mobile shortlisted 14 manufacturers for the 2020–2021 procurement, including major players such as YOFC, Futong, and Hengtong . These suppliers were selected based on their ability to meet stringent quality and performance requirements, ensuring reliable long-term operation of optical networks.Technological AdvancementsIn addition to procurement, China Mobile (Zhejiang) collaborated with Huawei to complete the first live trial of an 800G ultra-high-speed optical transport network in February 2020 . This trial demonstrated a per-fiber capacity of up to 48 Tbit/s, six times higher than traditional 100G networks, supporting advanced services like 5G, cloud computing, big data, and AR/VR. The trial used two data centers separated by 80 km and confirmed the solution's performance and readiness for commercial deployment, highlighting China Mobile's focus on high-capacity transport technologies.Market ImplicationsThe 2020 procurement and technological trials reflected broader trends in the optical fiber and cable industry. The combination of domestic 5G network expansion and international FTTH initiatives (e.g., EU's gigabit network plan and US broadband investments) contributed to rising demand and a stabilizing price environment for optical cables . The procurement also accelerated supply-side consolidation, favoring leading manufacturers with strong production and quality capabilities.SummaryIn 2020, China Mobile's optical cable strategy involved record-high procurement volumes, stable pricing, and technological innovation. By engaging top suppliers and testing high-speed 800G optical transport, China Mobile positioned itself to meet the growing bandwidth demands of 5G and data-intensive applications, while influencing market dynamics in China's optical fiber and cable sector .