(Yicai Global) June 6 -- China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued the country's first licenses for commercial use of fifth-generation networks today, granting the permits to the big three state-owned telecoms providers and a television broadcaster.

China Unicom, China Telecom, China Mobile and China Business Network all acquired the licenses, the ministry said in a statement.

The telecoms giants already have business-ready 5G networks covering urban areas, highways and subways in more than 40 Chinese cities thanks to partnerships with Huawei, the world's biggest telecoms equipment maker said on social media today. The Shenzhen-based manufacturer has 46 commercial contracts in place in 30 countries, and has delivered more than 10,000 base stations worldwide, it added.

Huawei completed the world's first 5G-base phone call at the Mobile World Congress in February last year, when it also unveiled the first ever 5G handset.

China's second-largest telecoms manufacturer ZTE has also partnered 40 operators worldwide and has terminal-to-terminal solutions ready for commercial 5G use, it said on its website.

Phonemaker Oppo Mobile Telecommunications is already ready to adopt the technology and hopes to release China's first 5G-based smartphone, it said. It is working with operators and other partners to explore more potential applications of 5G networks.