(Yicai Global) June 4 -- China may have its first fifth-generation wireless network data plan  sold as early as this week as the related permits appear to be  forthcoming sooner than expected. 

The first 5G operator  license may be issued as early as this week, much before the expected  early October, the Shanghai Securities News reported, citing an industry  analyst. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said on  its website yesterday that such permits will be issued in the near  future.

Foreign companies,  including Nokia, Ericsson, Intel and Qualcomm, have been deeply involved  in the technical trial phase, the ministry announced. The institution  will continue to welcome domestic and foreign companies to actively  participate in the construction of 5G, it added.

Most of China's  administrative regions have successfully completed their first 5G phone  calls, and the number of base stations has exceeded 530,000, incomplete  data show. China's three biggest phone operators are expected to roll  out 5G services on a large scale after obtaining permits. 

Editor: Emmi Laine