(Yicai Global) Oct. 15 -- Ninety-six percent of villages in China now have access to fiber optic broadband, up from less than 70 percent before pilot work began, according to the latest figures, setting a firm basis for rural development and the alleviation of poverty.

In addition, fourth-generation cellular network coverage has reached 95 percent, the industry and information technology ministry also said at an audio/video conference to promote the provision of universal telecoms services on Oct. 12.

Efforts to advance pilot services have progressed smoothly and with clear effect, said a staffer in charge at the MIIT's department of information and communications development. Work on fiber optic pilots has also entered the final stretch, with 98 percent of supply to the 130,000 villages in the first three trial areas completed at the end of September.

4G trials have progressed step by step. The fourth phase of network building in pilot areas this year concluded application, review and funding before the end of June, with provincial governments thereafter designating contractors to undertake the work. The average download speed in pilot villages reached the same level as in urban areas, according to monitoring data.

The first three trials brought broadband to 94 percent of poverty-stricken villages, achieving a target of over 90 percent ahead of schedule.

Great progress has come despite the two major issues of technology and cost, i.e. low population density, heightened construction outlays, complex topography and the basic challenge of building infrastructure.

No great difference exists in the choice of basic instant messaging apps, online music and videos between web users in China's cities and countryside. The internet has become a common form of entertainment among rural residents and watching videos and live-streams on Tencent Holdings' Kuaishou and ByteDance's TikTok apps is also quite popular, research results from China Internet Network Information Center show.

Editor: Ben Armour