Next step, China Radio and Television Officially launched Mobile communication Services?

On December 24th, China Radio and Television received Ministry of Industry and Information Technology The news of the "192" segment public mobile communication network number issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, after being promptly released by DVBCN, has received a lot of attention. The editor has seen that friends from all walks of life in both the radio and television and communications industries are enthusiastically discussing their expectations for the new number segment.

Regarding the recent frequent breakthroughs in radio and television 5G As the end of the year approaches, with China Radio and Television as a representative, the radio and television system's shift to mobile communication services is indeed capturing the attention of multiple vertical industry players. At the end of the year, not only the number segment, but also other "unofficial" news such as 5G cooperation network construction, serve as a bridge. China Radio and Television is destined to advance into 2020 under the spotlight.

For China Radio and Television, under unprecedented circumstances, how to directly undertake 5G mobile communication services as a radio and television broadcaster is inevitably facing pressure. After all, under such industry-wide and nationwide attention, how to successfully perform an unfamiliar role tests the coordination and strength of the entire system, including top-level design and basic execution layers.

"19x" number segments almost fully allocated

The "19x" number segments issued this time by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to four enterprises are explicitly stated as providing resource guarantees for 5G commercial use, and these new number segments are destined to become effective means of attracting new 5G network users.

According to what DVBCN understands, the already allocated number segments are as follows:

The "19x" number segments this time are not the first issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. In 2017, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued the 199 and 198 number segments, and then successively released the 191 number segments, etc. Therefore, currently, only the 194 number segment in the "19x" full number segment remains unallocated.

What will the radio and television number segments be used for?

In 2016, China Radio and Television actually obtained the "Basic Telecommunications Business Operating License" issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, but was only allowed to operate nationwide Internet Domestic data transmission services, domestic communication facility service businesses, these businesses have also been sought after by various provincial network companies.

China Radio and Television, on behalf of the national cable television industry is operators television services IPTV and Internet television services OTT TV and mobile internet video, the problem of user loss has never stopped, especially cable digital television After falling below the 200 million mark, the situation is even more severe.

5G wireless network is a "trump card" that continues to destroy the survival environment of traditional cable television, but it is also a "life-saving straw" that the cable television industry can use for rebirth. Under this situation, China Radio and Television, using 5G and other new technologies as a lever, obtained the 5G commercial license issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, which also provides a feasible channel for radio and television to launch mobile communication services.

According to DVBCN's understanding, the well-known foreign cable television service provider Comcast once launched a mobile communication business line in order to open up the market. Therefore, Comcast formally established "Xfinity Mobile" in 2017 to provide mobile communication services to its users, including Xfinity Mobile contract phones launched with some manufacturers. However, unlike China Radio and Television, Xfinity mainly provides mobile virtual network services.

This time, the "192" number segment obtained by China Radio and Television is also the first public mobile communication number segment officially obtained by the national radio and television system. DVBCN editor believes the significance is as follows:

1. Marks that China Radio and Television has basically confirmed that it will launch mobile communication services.

Since last year (2018), when the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology agreed that China Radio and Television would participate in 5G network construction, China Radio and Television also applied for mobile communication qualifications. Previously, many provincial network companies have launched LTE equipment bidding mainly to multimedia broadcasting, convergence type services, smart city, etc. testing This formal establishment of the number segment means that China Radio and Television has the qualifications to carry out mobile communication services, and it is no longer just speculation.

2. Provides the "number segment" as a basic guarantee for the successful launch of radio and television 5G services.

This year, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology revised and added "Fifth-generation digital cellular mobile communication services" to the "Telecommunications Business Classification Catalog (2015 Edition)". According to the explanation, the fifth-generation digital cellular mobile communication service refers to voice, data, and multimedia communication services provided by the fifth-generation digital cellular mobile communication network. As mentioned earlier, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology also stated that the issuance of new number segments this time is also to lay the foundation for the promotion of 5G commercial use. China Radio and Television will also take this opportunity to expand its 5G layout.

3. Marks the formal establishment of the position of the fourth major operator, and China Radio and Television truly becomes an operator with number portability qualifications.

On November 11, 2019, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology listed China Radio and Television Network Corporation as a notification unit (enterprise) for mobile number portability in the "Regulations on the Administration of Mobile Number Portability Services." At the time, it was speculated that China Broadcasting might also be eligible for mobile number portability, and the establishment of the new number segment confirms that China Broadcasting also has the qualifications for mobile number portability. Because China Broadcasting's infrastructure and user base in the communications field are extremely weak, the issuance of new number segments and mobile number portability policies can help China Broadcasting win over some users. After all, as a new operator, users may be willing to "try something new."

Broadcasting 5G Still Needs "Division"

This is the first time China Broadcasting has obtained a number segment, changing the long-standing situation of the three major operators. Since China Broadcasting still needs to complete infrastructure preparation and solve problems in business and markets, it is not possible to predict the future trajectory, but for users, it opens up a new situation, provides a new choice, and will also promote changes in communication service quality.

Not long ago, China Broadcasting also stated in an industry meeting that it aims to achieve a "Firstcall" through 700M 5G VoNR by the end of 2019. It is understood that China Broadcasting has been Huawei preparing for a SA-based 700MHz VoNR Firstcall. This means that China Broadcasting will directly leapfrog VoLTE and take the lead in deploying VoNR services.

With the advantage of 700MHz resources, the cost of building base stations for Broadcasting will be lower than that of the three major operators, although the cost will not be significantly lower. China Broadcasting, with the support of partners such as Huawei, has a reliable source of small-scale supply of 700MHz 5G base stations. In terms of terminals, some domestic baseband chips already support the 700MHz frequency band, so 5G phones are also ensured. In terms of the Internet of Things, chips already support the 700MHz frequency band. Various industry terminals can be customized according to needs, and are expected to enter a high-speed development stage after 2021.

In addition, after China Broadcasting obtained the 5G license, the future direction of China Mobile has been widely discussed. Currently available information shows that the equity structure of China Mobile remains 51% owned by China Broadcasting and 49% by Citic Group. What arrangements will be made for China Mobile if China Broadcasting officially launches mobile communication services? This is something to look forward to.

With the approach of 2020 and the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan, whether it is the "national cable television network integration or "Broadcasting 5G construction," China Broadcasting has unexpectedly taken center stage. Judging from the official announcement during the World 5G Conference, the broadcasting system should have made plans and arrangements, is prepared to deal with public opinion, and has certain action capabilities to ensure this, but more substantial content is still being determined. integration