The three major operators are pushing gigabit broadband, so when can we use it?

As the implementation of the "speed increase and fee reduction" policy deepens, faster broadband networks are becoming more accessible to ordinary users. From the second half of last year to this year, the three major operators have successively launched pilot access services for gigabit broadband, and recently they have been promoting gigabit broadband more frequently.

So, when can everyone use gigabit broadband?

Strictly speaking, everyone can now apply for gigabit broadband from operators. Taking Beijing as an example, the monthly rental of gigabit broadband from China Unicom and China Mobile is 1,000 yuan and 800 yuan respectively, and the annual fee is as high as 12,000 yuan and 9,600 yuan respectively.

It seems that the only obstacle to the popularization of gigabit broadband is the cost issue. In addition to paying the port fee to the operator, users also need to purchase hardware such as high-speed optical modems, routers, network cables and network cards that can match gigabit broadband.

According to industry insiders, gigabit broadband is mainly launched for 4K, 8K and VR technologies. At present, it is still a forward-looking and conceptual service, so it will take several years for gigabit broadband to be popularized.

In this regard, Xiang Ligang, a senior communications expert, also said in an interview with Beijing Business Daily that gigabit broadband may not be popularized in China until after 2023. At present, most domestic users are still using broadband products of tens of megabits, and 100-megabit broadband has not yet been popularized. "This year, the main products promoted by operators are still 100-megabit broadband and 200-megabit broadband. Next year, it should rise to 300M, the year after 400M, and 500M in 2020. This is a gradual process."

As for the price of gigabit broadband, Xiang Ligang revealed that the cost of broadband has indeed increased a lot from copper cable to optical cable, but broadband above 20M belongs to optical network. In other words, most parts of the country now have full optical network coverage, from 20M to 50M, and then to 100M and even gigabit. Because they are all based on optical fiber network construction, the cost increase is not much.

In the future, the price of gigabit broadband will inevitably decline gradually, just like the 4G network. From pilot to popularization, it is a process of gradually becoming more affordable.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.