China Mobile doubles its optical module procurement

China Mobile has significantly increased its optical fiber and cable procurement, with the 2025–2026 tender reaching a record scale of 98.8 million fiber-kilometers, reflecting a strategic push to expand its network infrastructure.Procurement Scale and DetailsChina Mobile's centralized procurement for optical fiber and cable in 2025–2026 reached 98.8 million fiber-kilometers, marking a 19.3% year-on-year increase, the largest in the past five years . The tender included loose-tube and outdoor optical cables, with a maximum bid limit of 9.86 billion yuan . The procurement strategy adopted share bidding, allowing multiple suppliers to participate, with top winners receiving significant portions of the total volume .Key Suppliers and Awarded SharesA total of 14 companies were awarded contracts, with the top four—ZTT, Hengtong, YOFC, and FiberHome—securing a combined 60% share, equivalent to 59.3 million fiber-kilometers . ZTT led with a 19.36% share (19.1M F-km), followed by Hengtong at 15.48%, YOFC at 13.55%, and FiberHome at 11.61% . This reflects a competitive but value-focused tender environment, where suppliers are evaluated not only on price but also on production capacity, product quality, delivery reliability, R&D strength, and ESG performance .Market and Strategic ImplicationsThe doubling of procurement underscores China Mobile's commitment to expanding 5G access networks, bearer networks, and FTTH deployments domestically . Rising upstream raw material costs and strong domestic and international demand are expected to stabilize or slightly increase optical fiber prices, benefiting suppliers . Internationally, similar infrastructure initiatives, such as the EU's gigabit network plan and the US broadband investment, indicate a broader growth trend in optical fiber demand .Supplier Recognition and Industry ImpactZTT's top ranking in the tender highlights its brand reputation, product quality, and delivery reliability, positioning it as a trusted partner in China Mobile's network expansion . The procurement also signals a shift in the Chinese optical cable market toward value-added differentiation, where suppliers compete on innovation and ESG credentials rather than solely on price . In summary, China Mobile's doubled procurement reflects both strategic network expansion and a maturing supplier evaluation approach, with significant implications for the optical fiber industry in China and globally .