Beijing, Dec 15 (IANS): China has aimed to cover all its urban and rural areas with 4G network by 2018, a media report said on Tuesday.

According to a three-year action plan "Internet Plus", published by the ministry of industry and information technology (MIIT) on Monday, the country has also plannned to install fibre optics in more than 80 percent of its villages, the China Daily reported.

With regard to the upgrading of network infrastructure, the ministry set the target of "basically completing a broadband-based, integrated, ubiquitous and secure next-generation national information infrastructure."

To achieve this, China will channel more energy into the promotion of 4G, and boost research and development of 5G, according to the action plan.

The plan will integrate mobile internet, cloud computing, big data and the Internet of Things with modern manufacturing to encourage the healthy development of e-commerce, industrial networks, and internet banking, and to help internet companies increase their international presence.