Recently, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released the Economic Operational Status of the Telecommunications Industry in the First Half of 2025.
Data shows that as of the end of June, the three major telecom operators had developed 2.831 billion mobile IoT terminal users, a net increase of 175 million compared to the end of the previous year. Internet TV (IPTV and OTT) users reached 411 million, with a net increase of 3.44 million compared to the end of the previous year.
In contrast, as of the end of June, the total number of mobile phone users of the three major telecom operators and China Broadcasting Network reached 1.81 billion, a net increase of 19.93 million compared to the end of the previous year. Among them, 5G mobile phone users reached 1.118 billion, a net increase of 104 million compared to the end of the previous year, accounting for 61.8% of all mobile phone users.
This means that mobile IoT terminal users now exceed mobile phone users by 1 billion.
Historical data shows that in August 2022, China achieved the historic milestone of mobile IoT terminal users reached 1.698 billion, exceeding the 1.678 billion mobile phone users. Since then, the gap has continued to widen. In just three years, the difference has expanded to 1 billion, demonstrating the vigorous development of China's IoT industry.