China’s leading telecommunications companies are pioneering a new wave of infrastructure development by integrating air, space, ground, and sea networks. This strategic expansion aims to meet the explosive growth in AI computing needs and extend digital coverage from the ground to remote and extreme environments by 2030.
- China targets 100% AI network coverage across all terrains and altitudes by 2030.
- Operators leverage millions of 5G base stations and satellite tech for integrated communications.
- Investment in underwater data centers and space-based computing underpins AI ambitions.
What happened
At the 2026 Mobile World Congress in Shanghai, China’s telecom giants announced ambitious plans to develop integrated networks covering air, space, ground, and sea. Huawei’s rotating chairman Wang Tao emphasized the need to extend internet coverage from present-day ground-based connectivity to full-scale geographic coverage, including high altitudes, oceans, and deserts. This push is driven by expectations that AI agent numbers worldwide could reach one trillion by 2030.
China Tower and China Mobile are accelerating their buildout of comprehensive communication networks. China Tower manages over 6.2 million base stations, including several million 5G installations, aimed at supporting full-domain communications. Meanwhile, China Mobile focuses on developing an advanced three-tier computing system to ensure stable AI computational power, covering massive data centers down to end-user devices.
Why it matters
China’s telecom sector faces diminishing revenue growth as 5G technologies mature, spotlighting the need for new revenue streams tied to cloud computing and AI infrastructure. The expansion into air-space-ground-sea networks reflects a strategic pivot to capture emerging markets fueled by AI’s massive data and connectivity demands.
These developments align with China’s broader national objectives to lead in AI and next-generation communications technology. By integrating satellite internet, low-altitude mobility, and underwater data centers powered by renewable energy, China is building a multilayered, resilient network that can operate in diverse environments. This positions the country to compete with global space and AI initiatives, including those spearheaded by companies like SpaceX.
What to watch next
Key indicators to monitor include the progress of China’s 6G research driven by AI applications, and the deployment scale of the ‘air-space-ground-sea’ networks. Observers should track technology demonstrations from state-backed institutes, especially those focusing on space-computing chips and advanced satellite communication technologies.
The operational success of underwater data centers near Hainan and Shanghai, and their integration with offshore renewable energy sources, will also be crucial in measuring China’s ability to sustain large-scale AI computing infrastructure. Additionally, evolving policies and investments to boost commercial space activities will be important signals of China’s commitment to dominating next-generation communications.