China Telecom - China

Search Criteria
Carrier
China Telecom
Country
China Flag of China View country details


China Telecom (China) uses 4 LTE bands and 3 5G NR bands. Find out if your unlocked phone or mobile device will work with China Telecom (China). See the tables below for details.

Check device compatibility

Carrier website: http://www.chinatelecom.com.cn/

Last updated: 2024/08/04 - See latest updates

China Telecom and China Mobile are two of the major telecommunications companies in China, each with significant roles in the country's telecommunications landscape.

China Telecom

  • Overview: China Telecom Corporation Limited (CT) is a Chinese state-owned telecommunications company. It is the second-largest wireless carrier in China, with 362.49 million subscribers as of June 2021.
  • History: The company was incorporated in 2002 to float some of its assets on the stock exchange. It has undergone several acquisitions and expansions, including the acquisition of businesses in various provinces and the formation of a joint venture with China Mobile and China Unicom, China Tower.
  • Operations: China Telecom operates a wide range of services including fixed-line telecommunications, mobile services, and internet services. It has a significant presence in both urban and rural areas, contributing to the government's efforts to promote universal telecommunications and internet access.
  • Regulatory Challenges: China Telecom has faced regulatory challenges in the U.S., including an investigation by the Commerce Department over concerns that the company might misuse its access to American data. The company's operations in the U.S. have been scrutinized, and it has been subject to various measures aimed at addressing national security concerns.

China Mobile

  • Overview: China Mobile Limited is another major telecommunications company in China. It is the largest wireless carrier in China, with 975 million mobile customers and 272 million wireline broadband customers as of the end of 2022.
  • History: China Mobile was spun off from China Telecom in 1999 and has since become a major player in the Chinese telecommunications market. It went public on the New York Stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1997 and listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2022.
  • Operations: China Mobile provides a comprehensive range of telecommunications services, including mobile and broadband services. It has a significant presence in both urban and rural areas, contributing to the country's digital transformation.
  • Regulatory Challenges: Like China Telecom, China Mobile has faced regulatory challenges in the U.S., including an investigation by the Commerce Department over concerns about the potential misuse of American data. The company's operations in the U.S. have been scrutinized, and it has been subject to various measures aimed at addressing national security concerns.

Both companies are integral to China's telecommunications infrastructure, providing essential services to millions of customers across the country.

Frequency Bands

LTE

Name Interface Description
B3 (1800 MHz +) LTE

China Telecom China uses LTE band B3 (1800 MHz +). This band was added to China Telecom China on August 4, 2024.
B1 (2100 MHz) LTE

China Telecom China uses the LTE band B1 (2100 MHz). This band was added to China Telecom China's frequency spectrum on August 4, 2024.
B5 (850 MHz) LTE

China Telecom China uses LTE band B5 (850 MHz). The deployment of this frequency band is not specified in the provided information.
B40 (TD 2300 MHz) LTE

China Telecom China uses LTE band B40 (TD 2300 MHz). This frequency band was added to China Telecom China in August 2024.

Supported LTE Protocols

Name Generation
LTE 4G

5G NR

Name Interface Description
N1 (2100 MHz) 5G NR

China Telecom China uses the 5G NR frequency band N1 (2100 MHz). This band covers the frequency range from 1920 to 1980 MHz for the uplink and from 2110 to 2170 MHz for the downlink. The duplex spacing for this band is 190 MHz, and it supports channel bandwidths of 5, 10, 15, and 20 MHz.
N5 (850 MHz) 5G NR

China Telecom China uses the 5G NR frequency band N5, which covers the 824 to 894 MHz range. This band is known as the 850 MHz 5G band. The n5 band is popular due to its common availability and widespread use by 3G and 4G networks, allowing operators to "re-farm" existing frequencies for 5G deployment. The n5 band offers excellent coverage and building penetration due to its propagation characteristics and improved by advanced processing techniques. CableFree Emerald 5G NR gNodeB base stations support the n5 band, available in various configurations including macro cell and small cell setups with MIMO options.
N78 (3500 MHz) 5G NR

China Telecom uses the 5G NR frequency band n78, which operates in the 3500 MHz range. This band is designated for Time Division Duplexing (TDD) and is widely used for 5G deployments due to its relatively common availability and potential for high capacity throughput. The n78 band spans from 3300 MHz to 3800 MHz, supporting channel bandwidths ranging from 10 MHz to 100 MHz. Advanced technologies like massive MIMO, beam-forming, and beam-tracking help mitigate the limited range and building penetration issues associated with higher frequencies. This band is particularly popular for its ability to support large channel widths, making it suitable for delivering high-capacity 5G services.

Latest updates