China is preparing to commercialise its satellite internet networks as it strives to develop equivalents to the SpaceX system
China is pushing to accelerate the rollout of commercial low-orbit satellite internet services as it strives to develop home-grown rivals to SpaceX’s Starlink network.
In a guideline released on Wednesday, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said it would encourage operators of low-orbit satellite constellations to launch trials of commercial services “at an appropriate time”.
The document also encourages telecom operators to leverage low-orbit satellite internet to expand high-speed data services beyond voice and text messaging, promoting the integrated development of land and space-based communications infrastructure.
China has been stepping up efforts to create its own versions of Elon Musk’s Starlink, with two state-led projects currently developing their own constellations of low-orbit satellites.
