Under the coordination of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, at the opening ceremony of the 2023 World Telecommunication and Information Society Day Conference held on May 17th, China Telecom, China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Broadcast Network jointly announced the official launch of the world’s first 5G cross network roaming trial commercial use.

5G cross network roaming refers to the SIM card signed with a specific communication operator that can also use the network of another communication operator. That is, users can use 5G network services by connecting to other operators’ networks in areas without 5G network coverage. 5G cross network roaming can enhance the openness and sharing of the network, strengthen resource reuse, and improve overall efficiency.

The Development of the Information and Communication Industry in the 14th Five-Year Plan Period issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in 2021 points out that we will deepen the construction and sharing of telecommunications infrastructure, support the construction and sharing of 5G access networks, promote 5G cross network roaming, and gradually form a mobile communication network pattern with multiple networks coexisting in hot areas and one network supporting remote areas. At the same time, it is required to accelerate the testing, verification, and equipment upgrade of 5G cross network roaming, and achieve that all 5G networks in county-level and below administrative regions have cross network roaming functions. Basic telecommunications enterprises are encouraged to carry out cross network roaming under a market-oriented mechanism, autonomous regions such as Tibet, Xinjiang, and Inner Mongolia, and provinces such as Qinghai, Gansu, and Heilongjiang are encouraged to prioritize the pilot of cross network roaming.

China has completed laboratory testing, field verification, and on-site pilot projects for 5G cross network roaming, verifying the business capability and commercial feasibility of 5G cross network roaming. On May 17, 2023, the world's first 5G cross network roaming trial commercial use was launched in Xinjiang. In areas where 5G cross network roaming services are provided, users can use terminals that support 5G cross network roaming functionality without changing their cards or numbers, and can directly use 5G cross network roaming services without paying additional fees.