The nation will step up its push to commercialize fifth-generation mobile communication technology, with 5G-ready smartphones likely to come out in late 2019, experts said.

Wang Zhiqin, an expert with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said, "Given that the first version of 5G standards will come out in June this year, we expect system equipment, including base stations and network gears, will be able to achieve the pre-commercial level by the end of 2018."