Shanghai's 5G district undergoes trial run

Shanghai has taken a fresh step in leading the 5G pack by constructing what it says is the world's first district boasting both the coverage of a fifth generation mobile network and a gigabit broadband network.

The latest prototype, which serves as a precursor to larger-scale 5G commercial use versions set to be unveiled this year, underscores how China is determined to be a world leader in digital technology, experts said.

A trial run of the 5G network, backed by the country's top telecom carrier China Mobile, officially began on Saturday in Shanghai's Hongkou district, where 5G base stations have been deployed to ensure full coverage.