Digital News

　　What if the signal is weak at sea? Don’t worry. With 5G networks, communication is smooth, even out on the water. Can fishermen sell their catch while they’re still at sea? Absolutely. They can snap photos and videos of their catch and contact seafood agents in real time... In Lianjiang, a major coastal county, fishermen cast their nets on the sea while using digital technology to grow their businesses, transforming “relying on the heavens” into “relying on technology” for their livelihoods.

　　As the saying goes, “Those living on a mountain live off the mountain, those living near the water live off the water.” In the past, fishermen would lose communication signals once they ventured more than 3 kilometers from the coast, turning their boats into isolated islands in the vast ocean. Since 2022, Lianjiang has pioneered full near-shore 5G coverage in the city and introduced a smart maritime integrated solution based on global high-throughput satellite communication. The coverage extends up to 60 kilometers, ensuring the “superior coastal experience, stable near-shore signals, and reliable connectivity even in offshore areas.”

　　Looking back over the past 25 years, the dramatic changes in the fishing industry are clear through two sharply contrasting snapshots.

　　Snapshot 1: In 2000, satellite phone costs were high, and the signal was often unreliable, leaving fishermen feeling anxious!

　　Xie Maohai, a fisherman from Tailu Town in Lianjiang, has been making a living at sea since he was 18 years old. His fellow fishermen affectionately call him “Brother Hai.”

　　Fishing is one of the pillar industries in Tailu Town. The town boasts over 500 fishing and support vessels, with about 15,000 people working in the fishing sector.

　　In his youth, “Brother Hai” would set sail on his fishing vessel, riding the tide out to sea. Sometimes, he’d return the same day, while other times, he’d be out for a week or even half a month, unable to contact his family, leading a solitary and repetitive life on the water.

　　“In 2000, we installed a satellite phone on the vessel, but it was really expensive -costing tens of thousands of yuan a year. The signal was often unstable, and if the sea conditions were bad, connecting with people on land was purely down to chance,” said “Brother Hai.” They often used the satellite phone to check in with their families or contact agents to inquire about the market conditions for their catch. He added, “If the market was good, we would rush back to sell. If not, we’d stay out at sea for a few more days.”

　　Tailu Town, located at the far end of the Huangqi Peninsula and surrounded by the sea on three sides, is situated on a major maritime route between Fujian and Zhejiang. This strategic location makes it particularly vulnerable to typhoons. “The town and village leaders mainly stayed in touch with us through satellite phones and single-sideband radios. They had to check whether the fishing boats were heading back one by one. Not only were they unable to track our situation at sea in real-time, but the signals were also often interrupted, causing dropped calls and lost contact. As a result, whether we were at sea or on land, everyone was on edge,” “Brother Hai” recalled.

　　Snapshot 2: In 2025, fishermen can sell seafood and watch videos while out at sea. It's incredibly convenient!

　　Now in his sixties, “Brother Hai” has stepped back from active fishing to take on a managerial role. However, the pull of the ocean still runs strong in his veins. He often joins his younger brothers on fishing trips, reliving the memories of his youthful days spent on the water.

　　Since the 5G base station was installed at sea, “Brother Hai” can contact his family anytime, anywhere, and even make video calls. He remembers that his first 5G video call at sea was to his children. He happily told them, “I can reach you anytime, anywhere, so don’t worry.”

　　With 5G connectivity, staying in touch between sea and land has become a routine, and selling seafood while out at sea is now commonplace. After making his catch, “Brother Hai” quickly took photos and videos with his phone and sent them to agents who were far away. After seeing the real-time footage of the fishing process and the quality of the seafood, the agents were pleased and confirmed they would take all of them.

　　“The signal at sea is excellent now. I can make WeChat calls, watch videos, and shop online - all without a hitch, and it’s much cheaper since it’s all on data,” “Brother Hai” said, clearly excited. “Now, when we go out to fish, we can sell our catch at the same time. It makes life much more stable and reliable.”

　　Lianjiang is currently focusing on near-shore 5G applications to continuously enhance the infrastructure support for smart ocean. There are now 2,440 5G base stations, including 313 offshore. The city boasts 93,000 gigabit broadband users, with an average fixed broadband download speed of 500 Mbps and an average end-to-end download speed of 55 Mbps for 4G users.

　　“Life at sea is not only fulfilling but also safer.” At the end of the interview, “Brother Hai” couldn’t help but express his appreciation. Fishing boat managers can now monitor the boats’ locations in real time, ensuring round-the-clock tracking of their movements. The system provides a clear view of the “people, boats, and ports” at a glance. Particularly before a typhoon arrives, managers can use the AI system and messaging feature to alert boats to return to port for safety. In case of an emergency, nearby support can be mobilized to assist the affected boats, greatly enhancing the safety of the fishing industry.