China Mobile Communications Corp, the world's largest telecom carrier with 845 million mobile subscribers, is getting an early start to prepare for 5G networks.

The Beijing-based firm will select four to five cities in 2017 to build pre-commercial prototypes to verify and develop 5G systems. It is stepping up efforts to reach the goal of commercializing 5G services in 2020.

"China Mobile is an enterprising student. In addition to conducting 5G technology tests, we are preparing in advance for 5G commercial products," said Huang Yuhong, deputy head of the China Mobile Research Institute.