How long is the total length of fiber optic cable in China

As of March 2026, China's total fiber optic cable network spans approximately 75.78 million kilometers.

China has experienced rapid expansion of its fiber optic infrastructure over the past decade. By the end of 2025, the total network length reached 74.99 million kilometers, reflecting a growth of over 200% since 2015 when the network measured 24.71 million kilometers, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology . This expansion has enabled gigabit optical network access in every county nationwide . By March 2026, China Telecom reported that the total length of optical cable had increased further to 75.78 million kilometers, marking a new record for the country . The growth is driven by both long-haul backbone networks and extensive access networks connecting urban and rural areas. In 2023 alone, nearly 4.74 million kilometers of fiber optic cable were installed, bringing the national total to 64.32 million kilometers at that time . China's fiber network is the largest in the world, with the majority of cables deployed for access networks (62.3%), local network relay (35.9%), and long-haul transmission (1.8%), . The country continues to expand its 5G and gigabit optical networks, aiming for full coverage of counties and township seats by the end of 2025 . This massive infrastructure supports over 1.14 billion broadband access ports, making China a global leader in fiber optic deployment and broadband connectivity . The network's scale ensures high-speed internet access across urban and rural regions, facilitating digital services, cloud computing, and smart city initiatives.