The 2022 China 5G + Industrial Internet Conference takes place in OVC. [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]

After years of industrial chain extension and investment promotion, the East Lake High-tech Development Zone (also known as Optics Valley of China, or OVC) in Wuhan, capital of Central China's Hubei province, has gathered more than 100 5G-related enterprises and built a complete 5G industry chain. 

OVC has developed into the world's largest optical fiber and cable research and development hub, the world's largest small and medium-sized panel R&D hub, and the largest optical device R&D hub in China. 

Enterprises based in OVC are deeply engaged in the development of China's 5G strategic technologies, including optoelectronic devices, optical fiber and cable, and communications systems.

A workshop of Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Joint Stock Co in OVC [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China] 

According to Hu Changfei, general manager of HG Genuine Optics Tech Co, from 3G to 5G, the enterprise has long been a mainstream supplier for the global optical module market, taking the lead in launching independently-developed 400G and 800G silicon optical modules, with its output ranking among the highest in the world. 

Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Joint Stock Co's G.654.E optical fiber, which can achieve low-attenuation, long-distance, large-capacity data transmission required in the 5G era, is sold in more than 90 countries and regions. 

China Information Communication Technologies Group conducts comprehensive R&D of optical communications and participates in the division of labor and cooperation in the global 5G industry.

Wuhan Supercomputer Center based in OVC [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]

With the development of the 5G industry, 5G applications such as industrial internet, internet of vehicles, and smart city have emerged, with many enterprises in OVC contributing to their development. 

GeTech Technology Ltd helped Wuhan CSOT Co build a 5G-based factory, and its industrial internet platform is expected to boost the output of Wuhan CSOT Co production lines by more than 10 million yuan ($1.47 million) through quality and efficiency improvements. 

OVC-based FiberHome Telecommunication Technologies Co's smart optical network has efficiently served more than 700,000 enterprises and 20 million people in Beijing. 

"At present, Optics Valley is developing the digital economy based on 5G, focusing on building a digital economy industrial base," said an official from the investment promotion bureau of OVC. 

"The significant advantages in computing power will provide more possibilities for 5G extended industries such as intelligent network terminals, metaverses, and robotics to form OVC, which will be the focuses of the next investment promotion events."