(Yicai Global) April 25 -- The Qianhai-Shekou Free Trade Zone in China's southern tech hub Shenzhen has become the country's first to be covered by fifth-generation networks.

The FTZ has built 111 5G base stations to provide a better experience for companies and locals in the area, state-backed China News Service reported. The network offers high speeds and low latency, which will be great for internet firms, emerging tech startups and youth entrepreneurial teams in the area, it added.

Shenzhen is one of China's leading cities in terms of innovation and expects to have some 7,000 base stations up and running this year to roll out commercial 5G networks before 2020, according to a government work meeting on April 18.

State telecoms carrier China Unicom and the FTZ plan to host an exhibition from tomorrow until April 28 to highlight the applications of 5G and introduce the technology to residents, showing how it can benefit the public.

Having 5G coverage will also enable development of a local smart city, virtual reality, unmanned aerial vehicles, the Internet of vehicles and smart logistics in the zone and improve integration of the 5G industrial chain, according to the report.

Editor: James Boynton