Router directly connected to China Mobile fiber optic cable

China Mobile provides home broadband services using advanced fiber optic cables and routers, including traditional single-mode and next-generation hollow-core fiber technologies.

Home Broadband and Routers

China Mobile offers Fibre to the Home (FTTH) services, which include high-speed internet, Wi-Fi, and home phone bundles. Customers typically receive a router provided by China Mobile as part of the installation, which supports the fiber connection and enables Wi-Fi distribution throughout the home . These routers are designed to integrate seamlessly with China Mobile's optical network, ensuring stable connectivity and high-speed performance.

Fiber Optic Cable Procurement

China Mobile conducts large-scale centralized procurement of optical cables, sourcing from major manufacturers such as YOFC, Hengtong, ZTT, and FiberHome . For the 2025/2026 period, China Mobile awarded contracts for 98.8 million fiber-kilometers, with the top four suppliers securing 60% of the tender . The cables include loose-tube and single-mode fibers, designed for long-distance and high-capacity transmission, with pricing reflecting both quality and supplier reliability.

Advanced Fiber Technology

China Mobile has also been pioneering hollow-core fiber (HCF) technology, which guides light through air rather than solid glass, reducing signal loss and enabling ultra-high-speed transmission . In a recent test network in Shenzhen-Dongguan, China Mobile and YOFC achieved 800Gbps single-wavelength transmission and a bidirectional 128Tb/s throughput over a 20 km hollow-core fiber link . This demonstrates the potential for next-generation broadband infrastructure capable of supporting extremely high data rates and low latency.

Installation and Performance

The deployment of fiber optic cables involves careful installation practices, including splicing, environmental risk mitigation, and precise outdoor connections . Hollow-core fibers, in particular, require specialized adapters and splicing techniques to integrate with existing single-mode networks. Performance metrics such as splice loss, attenuation, and connection reliability are benchmarked against global standards to ensure robust service delivery .

Summary

China Mobile's home broadband service combines high-quality routers with state-of-the-art fiber optic cables, including both traditional single-mode and innovative hollow-core fibers. Their procurement strategy ensures reliable supply from leading manufacturers, while ongoing technological advancements aim to enhance speed, capacity, and network resilience for residential and enterprise users .