Chinese telecom capex to dip to 15-year low, hitting ZTE
Telecommunication
5G investment swiftly dwindles; dividend payments grow despite weak performance
A pedestrian uses a cellphone in Beijing’s central business district during morning rush hour. A rush of investment in the country’s 5G wireless infrastructure has run its course. © Reuters
TOKYO — China’s state-owned telecom operators’ capital expenditure is set to shrink to a 15-year low in 2026, as investment in 5G networks has run its course, while both revenue and profit growth have stalled.
