The application of big data in Harbin has enjoyed rapid growth in recent years, to the point where it is now at an advanced stage of development.

Statistics from a promotion fair for Harbin’s big data industry held on Sept 23 reveal that the metropolitan area network has already covered all the urban and rural areas in Harbin. The number of broadband internet users has reached 1.7 million, and broadband speeds have now hit 1000GB per second. Also, Wi-Fi services now cover over 1,700 hotspots in the downtown area of the city.

A cloud data center is gradually taking shape in Harbin. Harbin is the home of over 10 data centers, which belong to giants such as China Mobile, China Unicom and TGT Towngas Telecom.

The established data centers in Harbin occupy an area of about 80,000 square meters, accommodating some 8,200 data servers. They provide services for 4,500 customers in Harbin, generating annual revenues of 100 million yuan ($15.11 million) in 2016.

Currently, the Northern Big Data Industrial Center, the data centers of businesses such as China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom are under construction. According to current plans, by the end of 2020, investment valued at 5 billion yuan will be used to expand data centers and purchase data servers. Data servers are expected to eventually cover a total area of 260,000 square meters.

The benefits from the application of big data are significant for government and public services in Harbin.

Harbin started to establish an information sharing system involving 14 government departments in 2012.

As of this September, census information involving seven government departments has been incorporated into the information system. Through the analysis of big data in the system, Harbin government recognized 180,000 unqualified applicants who have successfully applied for social welfare.

Government departments such as the public security bureau, the human resource and social security bureau, also make use of a paper-free system to provide services –– improving efficiency and saving energy.

In addition, Harbin government established an open data platform, with 3.19 million pieces of data from 14 key sectors available for the public to view, including economic and education data.