China granted the first commercial 5G licenses in June 2019. With more than 130,000 base stations installed and a commitment to cover every major city by 2020, China is leading the global 5G race. For importers, this opens up new business opportunities.
New 5G products and accessories
The arrival of 5G is driving demand for: 5G smartphones (Huawei, Xiaomi and Oppo are already manufacturing them), 5G routers for home and business, antennas and signal boosters, accessories such as cases designed for the new models, and testing and measurement equipment. These products are mostly made in Shenzhen and Dongguan, where our team has direct access to manufacturers.
IoT: the big 5G opportunity
5G is not just about faster phones. Its low latency and ability to connect millions of devices simultaneously is fuelling the Internet of Things: industrial sensors, smart cities, connected vehicles, telemedicine. Factories in Shenzhen are already mass-producing IoT sensors, smart IP cameras and home-automation devices that leverage 5G infrastructure.
Impact on prices and components
Demand for 5G components (chips, MIMO antennas, RF modules) is pushing prices upward in some electronics segments. If you import electronic goods, your suppliers may pass on part of this increase. We recommend negotiating medium-term price contracts to shield yourself from volatility.
How to position yourself
If you sell electronics or accessories, now is the time to explore 5G products. Early adopters in Europe and Latin America are looking for these items and margins are higher than on mature products. At MingTa Group we can identify trustworthy manufacturers and manage the development of custom products. Contact us.