5G Hits New Heights: ZTE, China Mobile Connect World's Highest UNESCO Natural Heritage Site

Chinese telecom giant ZTE and China Mobile have quite literally elevated connectivity to new heights by bringing 5G connectivity to Kekexili, or Qinghai Hoh Xil – a remote expanse recognized as the world's highest UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.

This secluded area, perched 4,800 meters above sea level on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in Western China, previously lacked even basic communication coverage. The connectivity deficit, exacerbated by the region's isolation and tough climate, imposed significant challenges for wildlife conservation and monitoring.

The collaboration, executed in partnership with China Tower and Sanjiangyuan National Park, paves the way for unprecedented opportunities in local wildlife conservation efforts, potentially serving as a blueprint for similar initiatives worldwide.

The project centers on Zhuonai Lake, a sanctuary nestled within these harsh highlands that is home to an abundant variety of endemic plant and large mammal species. Consequently, the lake and its surroundings have become a focal point for conservation efforts, particularly for the Tibetan antelope, which was once on the brink of extinction due to rampant poaching. Each summer, thousands of female antelopes migrate to Zhuonai Lake to give birth, marking the lake as a crucial hub for protection measures.

Rangers scattered across Kekexili, particularly those stationed at the Zhuonai Lake Protection Station, have played an indispensable role in the revival of the Tibetan antelope population, dedicating themselves to the rescue and protection of this vulnerable species. Yet, the treacherous, isolated terrain has continuously posed grave dangers to their operations.

Their reliance on satellite phones for communication, while a necessity, has not only been inefficient but alarmingly precarious during their extensive patrols in the unpredictable wilderness of Kekexili. In such an unforgiven setting, instantaneous communication is more than a convenience – it's a lifeline, reducing risks associated with potential wildlife encounters, medical emergencies, or exposure to severe climatic conditions.

Recognizing the necessity for a solution, ZTE and China Mobile undertook the challenge of bringing advanced connectivity to the lake. Construction of the 5G base station at Zhuonai Lake Protection Station began in early May. Despite the high altitude, extreme cold, gale-force winds, and permafrost presenting major obstacles, a commendable level of collaboration and resilience from the team saw the project through. After a grueling 20-day effort, they completed the construction and made the first-ever video call from Zhuonai Lake.

Hu Bo, general manager of China Mobile’s Qinghai Branch, highlighted the benefits of providing 5G coverage at Kekexili. Notably, the base station enables real-time observation of Tibetan antelope births, facilitating crucial wildlife monitoring. Furthermore, it alleviates the isolation of protection staff stationed in these harsh environments, substantially improving their safety and well-being. Hu emphasized that this breakthrough in communication technology paves the way for an innovative approach to environmental conservation, scientific exploration, and the governance of remote, protected regions.

Sun Lijun, deputy director of the Sanjiangyuan National Park Administration, hailed 5G deployment as a crucial advancement towards smarter park management. He underscored that 5G coverage would notably enhance the efficiency of scientific research and conservation efforts within national parks.

Kekexili's 5G network now delivers internet transmission speeds of up to 860Mbps around the protection station, facilitating real-time wildlife observation and ensuring that all conservation staff are able to remain in communication with each other while on patrol.

The base station strikes a balance between coverage and capacity by leveraging dual-frequency bands. The combination of the 700MHz band and ultra-long-range technology ensures 5G coverage across the entire Zhuonai Lake region, which spans over 10 kilometers, all from a single base station. The station also accommodates simultaneous transmission of up to 32 high-definition videos over the 2.6GHz band.

To always ensure a connection with the outside world, the base station uses robust transmission equipment capable of communicating over large distances, reaching beyond 57 kilometers in a single instance. The site is self-powered, running entirely on solar energy, and designed to withstand the most severe weather conditions – including temperatures as low as minus 50 degrees Celsius and near-hurricane strength winds.

Going forward, the four partners – Sanjiangyuan National Park, China Mobile, China Tower, and ZTE – have pledged to intensify their cooperation, harnessing communication technology to bolster conservation efforts at more world heritage sites.

This project underscores ZTE's commitment to sustainability through innovative technology, demonstrating the pivotal role digital connectivity can play in ecological protection. If successful, it could serve as a model for managing ecological conservation efforts in the world's most remote regions. 5G could bridge communication gaps in sparsely populated areas, offering a vital connection for preserving the planet's most endangered wildlife.

— Jay Ian Birbeck

This content is sponsored by ZTE