China Unicom is using technologies such as 5G, IoT and big data to build digital villages in Inner Mongolia.

The goal is to vitalise the local economy and improve the lives of local residents. Together with Huawei and other partners, the operator has accelerated the construction of digital information infrastructure to fuel the transformation of villages through the use of digital technologies.

China Unicom Inner Mongolia (www.chinaunicom.com.cn) is building digital information infrastructure to empower digital villages. For example, in a village in Xilingol League (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xilingol_League), the operator has improved network quality and information services so the local people can enjoy a digital life.

With abundant 5G networks and broadband infrastructure built in the village, wireless coverage now reaches every corner and every household has gigabit fibre broadband. The villagers can call and video chat with their families and friends from their homes, instead of having to travel a long distance to get better reception. They can browse short videos and share snapshots of their lives online anytime and anywhere, even when working in fields, pastures or farms.

These digital infrastructure developments have benefited the lives of villagers as well as provided a channel for urban residents to learn about life in the countryside, thus bridging the urban-rural digital divide. Another benefit of this improved connectivity is faster economic growth. The villagers can showcase their agricultural products through short videos to attract buyers as well as promote tourism.

China Unicom has employed technologies such as 5G, IoT and big data to develop smart agriculture, which improves production efficiency and increases farmers’ incomes. In Xilingol League, Unicom has helped villagers deploy 5G networks and utility devices such as sensors and cameras in pastures and greenhouses. The villagers can monitor livestock as well as greenhouse conditions such as light intensity, air temperature and humidity, and soil fertility, all in real time through their mobile phones.

They can also run production processes remotely, such as irrigation, temperature and humidity regulation, and fertilisation. This helps improve agricultural productivity.

In addition, Unicom’s digital rural platforms also help improve social services for residents. For example, Unicom has installed a smart large screen for the village committee to inform villagers of the latest village affairs and keep them up to date on the agricultural products market. It has also set up a networked smart healthcare platform for the villagers to access the expert consultation services of urban hospitals. Moreover, a digital education platform for primary and secondary schools is under construction, which will make high-quality education resources available to children in pastoral areas.