(Yicai Global) Nov. 11 -- China United Network Communications Group, one of the country's three largest mobile operators, has been given the green light to free up the main frequency band used for the early second-generation wireless networks for 5G.

The transformation will improve the coverage of 5G signals in rural and remote areas, helping more people enjoy high-quality internet connectivity, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said in a document published online yesterday.

The move means that China United Network, also known as China Unicom, can open up the 900MHz band for 5G instead of 2G, 3G, and 4G. The high-quality band, which is globally recognized as the "golden band" for public mobile communications, is suitable for wide-area coverage with low path loss and deployment costs, the ministry added.

Beijing-based China Unicom said in early 2020 that the operator is planning to fully remove its 2G services and it has also started to roll back part of its 3G networks.

The 900MHz band is very suitable for coverage in remote areas, and the original towers can be used to save costs, The Paper reported, citing Fu Liang, an independent telecommunications analyst.

Editor: Emmi Laine, Xiao Yi