Digital employees deployed as China Telecom delivers smart communications support for CIIE

According to China Telecom Corporation Limited, published on 5 November 2026, China Telecom Shanghai Branch has entered full operational readiness for the ninth China International Import Expo. The operator maintains a communications backbone built on 5G‑A and 10‑gigabit fibre networks, introducing its self‑developed multi‑agent digital employee system for the first time. The set‑up combines continuous AI monitoring with specialist human response. Emergency communications vehicles are on site, cybersecurity safeguards are in place, and a dedicated service hotline alongside service desks caters for overseas visitors and exhibitors.

The multi‑agent digital employee system carries out repetitive data monitoring tasks and connects multiple network management platforms for round‑the‑clock surveillance. It cuts the time taken for equivalent network inspection and summary work from hours to under five minutes. Field staff can retrieve live regional network metrics by voice query on mobile devices, with response times reduced by more than 80 per cent. Where congestion or latent faults are identified, the system automatically generates recommended mitigation actions and sends alerts to frontline teams. This collaborative operating model shifts communications support away from reactive repairs towards pre‑emptive risk detection.

A fleet of emergency communications vehicles has been stationed around the National Exhibition and Convention Centre. The deployment includes seven 4G and 5G base station vehicles, five 800‑megahertz digital cluster vehicles and one emergency command vehicle. Two further 800‑megahertz cluster vehicles have been seconded from Sichuan and Hubei provinces to reinforce on‑site trunked communications capacity.

Cybersecurity drills have been completed for extreme scenarios such as signalling storms and load congestion on the 5G core network, with full security checks carried out across all network elements to clear identified hazards. Twelve patrol vessels have been assigned to monitor submarine international communication cables, with diverse routing arrangements preserving connectivity. Dual‑route validation has been finished for communications links serving Hongqiao transport hub, Shanghai Pudong International Airport and metro lines linked to the expo, and key equipment rooms retain continuous on‑site staffing.

A dedicated service hotline, reachable on 968888, handles enquiries and requests from international exhibitors through cross‑department workflows. One overseas participant based in Canada faced entry difficulties after an error on their invitation documentation. Staff activated an expedited procedure, completing record cancellation, approval and reissue of the invitation within five hours. The hotline had received 32,000 calls by the end of October.

A dedicated CIIE service counter operates daily between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. at the China Telecom service hall inside Terminal 1 of Pudong International Airport. Extra trained staff provide bilingual support and fast processing for temporary subscriber cards. A dedicated information point for expo users has also opened at the Zhenjing Road service hall in Qingpu, within the core expo zone.

The expo serves as a platform for international engagement, with stable communications infrastructure underpinning the running of the event. China Telecom brings its latest digital and intelligent capabilities to deliver consistent connectivity and support for attendees.