China ramps up building a national computing power network as AI token demand surges

Beijing casts computing power as a national infrastructure, likening tokens to mobile data as telecoms firms roll out mass-market packages Daily token calls in China exceeded 140 trillion in March, more than 1,000 times the level at the start of 2024, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics. The reports said rising AI model costs began to weigh on developers and businesses, echoing the early days of the mobile internet when slow speeds and high charges later gave way to cheap, accessible mobile data after the roll-out of 4G and 5G networks. Earlier this month, the State Council called for stronger planning and construction of the six networks. The National Development and Reform Commission said investment in the six networks and related areas was expected to exceed 7 trillion yuan (US$1 trillion) this year.

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