Diversification, IPO, digital systems in CTC's future plans

China Tower Corp is moving into new business areas, as it steps up its efforts to make better use of its 1.7 million telecoms towers across the country.

In an industrial park in Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu province, stands a smart electric pole. It is equipped with base stations which can receive telecoms signals, an air monitor, surveillance cameras and an advertising board. When connected to electricity, it can also function as a charging point for electric cars.

Such telecoms towers have been put into use in Nanjing, Hangzhou and other cities. It is part of broad efforts by China Tower to diversify its business, amid expectations that the number of towers will surge in the coming years.