CHINA has initiated a two-year commercial trial of satellite Internet of Things (IoT) services to support the safe and healthy development of commercial aerospace, the low-altitude economy, and other emerging sectors. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) announced at the three-day China 5G + Industrial Internet Conference, which concluded Sunday in Wuhan, that eligible companies will be permitted to conduct satellite IoT services in accordance with laws and regulations. The trial aims to diversify the satellite communication market supply and develop replicable, scalable industrial experiences and business models. Satellite IoT services utilize satellite communication technology to connect various IoT devices, enabling data collection and transmission for data centers, wearables, handheld devices, as well as for vehicles, ships, aircraft, and other modes of transport. Unlike terrestrial IoT networks, which do not cover remote regions, airspace, oceans, and other similar areas, satellite IoT systems can achieve comprehensive global coverage, said Yu Xiaohui, president of the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology. Most satellites used for satellite IoT operate in low Earth orbit, at altitudes between 200 and 2,000 kilometers. Due to their proximity to Earth, users can access services with speeds comparable to those of 4G and 5G networks. A number of Chinese companies have already deployed satellite communication networks, including several low Earth orbit constellations launched by China Unicom, the GW Constellation led by China Satellite Communications, and the Geely Constellation deployed by Geespace, a subsidiary of automotive giant Geely Holding Group. Zhu Keli, founding director of the China New Economy Research Institute, noted that the commercial trial of satellite IoT will help operators in the low-altitude economy tackle communication challenges and expand application scenarios. “For example, agricultural drones can use satellite communication for data scheduling and transmission during cross-border operations,” Zhu pointed out. “In addition, emergency rescue drones can maintain contact with command centers via satellites even when ground networks are disrupted in disaster-stricken areas.” Zhu added that the integration of satellite and IoT technologies will attract more capital and resources into the low-altitude economy, promoting coordinated development across supply chain segments such as drone manufacturing, airspace management, and data services. In August, MIIT issued guidance on optimizing market access to facilitate the satellite communication industry, outlining a comprehensive plan to open satellite communication services to private enterprises.(SD-Agencies) | 