China Unicom, YunHuan Technology, and ZTE: Leaders in Mobile Urban Innovation at GSMA GLOMO Awards
China Unicom, YunHuan Technology, and ZTE: Redefining Urban Medical Delivery
At the MWC Barcelona 2025, a remarkable achievement was celebrated when China Unicom, YunHuan Technology, and ZTE Corporation were honored with the prestigious GSMA GLOMO Award for the category of Best Mobile Innovation for Cities.
This award was presented for their groundbreaking project named 5G-A Smart City Low-Altitude Blood Delivery, which aims to address the challenges faced by traditional methods of blood delivery in urban settings. Traffic congestion and emergency response delays often hinder timely medical assistance, prompting the need for innovative solutions.
The Innovative Solution: Drone Delivery
To tackle these issues, the consortium has pioneered the use of drones in Anyang, a city spanning an urban airspace of 1,200 square kilometers. This project encompasses a network of 10 delivery routes, stretching over 15 kilometers and servicing multiple hospitals throughout the area. With more than 50 daily flights, it has now become the largest low-altitude drone network dedicated to medical supply delivery.
The operational data from this initiative showcases significant efficiency gains. The average delivery time for blood has been dramatically decreased from 40 minutes to just 15 minutes, signifying a remarkable 60% enhancement in efficiency. This expedited service has had a direct and positive impact on emergency hospital responses, optimizing surgical scheduling while reducing blood waste. Consequently, the initiative has resulted in a 20% decrease in hospital costs associated with blood products and a 10% reduction in expenses for patients related to blood services, offering substantial socio-economic and medical benefits.
Technology at Work: 5G-A Integrated Sensing and Communication
Central to this innovative project is the deployment of 5G-A Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) technology. This infrastructure provides comprehensive communicative support and security monitoring essential for drone operations. Performance tests have proven the ability of this technology to simultaneously track the precise locations and flight statuses of multiple drones without errors, confirming its commercial viability in the low-altitude economy.
Future Aspirations
Looking ahead, China Unicom, YunHuan Technology, and ZTE are committed to expanding the applications of 5G-A technology in urban management and emergency response. Their efforts aspire to not only enhance urban services but also to stimulate low-altitude economic development and contribute to global smart city initiatives.
The GLOMO Awards are regarded as the mobile industry's highest accolades, featuring a jury of over 260 global analysts, media professionals, and industry experts. The recognition received by these companies underscores the critical role of innovation and excellence in the rapidly evolving mobile sector. Their collaborative achievement stands as a testament to how technology can revolutionize not just the delivery of medical supplies but the entire landscape of urban healthcare.
For more information on this pioneering project or to explore further developments, visit ZTE's official website and stay tuned for more updates on the exciting journey of urban innovation.