Core Insights - The evolution of modems, from dial-up to 5G, reflects the rapid advancement of China's internet infrastructure over the past three decades [1][11][13] Group 1: Dial-Up Era - In 1994, China accessed the internet via a 64K international line, marking the beginning of the digital age with dial-up modems that had speeds ranging from 14.4Kbps to 56Kbps [3][5] - The early modems were noisy and monopolized phone lines, leading to conflicts within households as users struggled to balance internet access with phone usage [3][5] Group 2: ADSL and Optical Modems - The 21st century saw the introduction of ADSL technology, increasing speeds to between 2Mbps and 8Mbps while allowing simultaneous phone use [6] - The transition to optical modems (光猫) began post-2010, integrating advanced features and supporting higher bandwidths, thus becoming the central hub for home networks [8] Group 3: 5G and Future Developments - The launch of 5G in 2019 marked a new era of connectivity, with peak speeds reaching 20Gbps and ultra-low latency, redefining the role of modems as smart gateways for home IoT [9] - Future developments may see the disappearance of traditional modems as signal conversion and routing functions are integrated into chips, making connectivity seamless [9] Group 4: Historical Context and Achievements - The timeline of modem evolution illustrates China's journey from a follower to a leader in internet technology, with significant milestones from dial-up to 5G [11] - By 2025, it is projected that 5G users in China will exceed 1 billion, showcasing the country's advancements in internet infrastructure [11]