CMRI: Fuels economic and social development through technological self-reliance

2025 WIC Distinguished Contribution Award

Innovation Breakthrough award-winning enterprise: China Mobile Research Institute 

As the core R&D arm of the China Mobile Group, the China Mobile Research Institute pioneers the development of core ICT technologies — including 5G/6G, computing networks, artificial intelligence, security and emerging business applications. The Institute also conducts strategic, market and industry research, steering the transformation of new-type infrastructure and empowering economic and social development with intelligence.

Innovation is central to the institute's mission. It boasts a world-class research team comprising esteemed academics, national experts, and leaders in international standardization. 

The institute focuses on strategic areas such as 5G/6G, computing networks, the low-altitude economy and autonomous control. 

Over past years, it has led over 40 major national science and technology projects. This has fostered collaboration between academia, industry and research institutes — resulting in groundbreaking breakthroughs in critical technologies.

Key innovations include the development of 5G-A's 10 core technologies, original 6G technologies, the sensing-computing intelligence platform, computing network systems and OISA/GSE technologies. The institute has also made strides in low-altitude smart networks and self-controlled chips. 

In the past three years, it has filed over 1,300 patents and led the development of over 150 standards in international organizations like ITU and 3GPP — ranking it among the global leaders in both patents and standards.

Collaborative innovation: Strengthening industry synergies

Leveraging China Mobile Group's leadership in the industry chain and the collaborative advantages of State-owned enterprises, the institute has formed partnerships with prestigious universities such as Tsinghua University, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications and Harbin Institute of Technology. 

It has also established joint labs with leading companies like ZTE, CITIC Group and H3C. These collaborations facilitate the application of research outcomes and foster industrial growth — ensuring a full-chain approach from innovation to implementation.

Moreover, the institute has accelerated the integration of technological and industrial innovation — reinforcing China's position in the traditional mobile communications industry while exploring new fields of convergence. 

Its contributions have supported the construction of the world's largest and most advanced commercial 5G network, laying the foundation for 5G infrastructure and driving high-quality growth in China's digital economy.

Honors, recognition for technological breakthroughs

The institute's achievements have earned it numerous prestigious awards, including the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award (special prize and first prize), the China Patent Gold Award and over 40 provincial and ministerial honors from organizations like the Chinese Institute of Electronics and the China Institute of Communications. 

The Institute's 5G-A innovations were recognized in the World Internet Conference Awards for Pioneering Science and Technology, while its work on "Building an Original Technology Source for the Information and Communications Sector under the New National System" won the Special First Prize at the 2024 China Management Science Award.

Advancing technological self-reliance, industrial transformation

The China Mobile Research Institute remains committed to accelerating China's technological self-reliance, constructing a modern industrial system and advancing new forms of productivity. 

The institute will continue to lead the development of strategic emerging industries — infusing strong innovation into China's goal of becoming a global leader in science and technology, network infrastructure and digital transformation.

In 2024, the World Internet Conference established the WIC Distinguished Contribution Award to recognize individuals and enterprises that have made outstanding contributions in global internet-related fields. 

To date, 12 leading figures and 26 well-known business enterprises from around the world have received the award.

For enterprises, the award features three categories — Social Contribution, Innovation Breakthrough, and Growth Potential. 

The awarded companies span a wide range of sectors — including internet platforms, mobile communications, artificial intelligence, chip designs, energy and power and cybersecurity. 

Together, they depict a diverse and thriving internet ecosystem, encouraging more outstanding enterprises to engage in the development of the internet and to jointly explore the limitless possibilities of the digital future.