Wireless technology has always been and will remain a defining innovation, connecting everything from mobile phones and smart homes to IoT devices. As the fifth-generation mobile communication technology, 5G delivers ultra-fast data transmission speeds, low latency, higher energy efficiency and enhanced network reliability. More importantly, it supports up to one million connected devices per square kilometre and adapts to specific applications through network slicing — making it a game-changer for industrial automation, healthcare, smart cities and beyond.
Like other stakeholders worldwide, the Chinese government regards 5G as a cornerstone of its technological and economic future. Yet, just as with all groundbreaking technologies, 5G can only fulfil its promise through proper application. Against this backdrop, the Standardization Administration of China (SAC), China’s ISO member body, commissioned a study to explore how international standards can shape the effective deployment of 5G technology and unlock its full potential.
The study focused on a key player in China’s power value chain: Shenzhen Power Supply Bureau. Two ISO standards proved particularly influential in its practice. ISO 37184 plays a vital role in advancing 5G communications for transportation services, providing a blueprint for expanding service coverage via 5G networks that link transport infrastructure, vehicles and service scheduling. Meanwhile, ISO/IEC 27001 ensures robust information security and user privacy, safeguarding data transmission in 5G communications.
By implementing these and other standards, Shenzhen Power Supply Bureau achieved remarkable operational benefits. One standout achievement is the construction of a 200 MW virtual power plant with impressive outcomes. The project saved an estimated USD 63.02 million to USD 177 million in investment costs for power generation capacity; cut around 15,375 working hours annually spent on earth fault handling; and reduced energy consumption by lowering annual standard coal use by 40,700 tonnes. Most notably, it avoided 108,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions and 3,261 tonnes of sulphur dioxide emissions, delivering major progress in energy conservation and carbon reduction.
Economically, the adoption of these ISO standards brought substantial cost savings. Over three years, it reduced expenses by approximately USD 8.77 million on switch procurement, deployment and optical cable laying. Power outage losses caused by peak load shifting and power rationing fell by around USD 1.31 million. In 2023 alone, costs for fault detection and isolation dropped by about USD 3.56 million. Most remarkably, in the summer of 2021, an intelligent network load control system enabled the power grid to operate at full capacity to meet electricity demand, saving up to USD 51.65 million in power generation and social electricity consumption costs.
The innovative application of 5G technology by Shenzhen Power Supply Bureau highlights the transformative impact of ISO international standards on real-world implementation. Building on this success, SAC is committed to advancing the development and deployment of standards in this critical field. These efforts will empower industries across China and the globe to fully leverage the potential of 5G, paving the way for a smarter, more interconnected future.
