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Beijing Guodian Gaoke Technology has obtained China’s first two-year experimental license for satellite Internet of Things operations, marking a key milestone in the country’s efforts to push forward commercial space technology. Utilizing its proprietary Tianqi Constellation—the nation’s inaugural low-Earth orbit satellite network—Guodian Gaoke will deliver extensive coverage, low-power consumption, and highly dependable IoT connectivity services. This will enable intelligent data collection and remote operations across various sectors, including marine fisheries, energy, water resources, transportation, and logistics, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
Satellite IoT services involve low-speed data transmission that offers broad-area connectivity for data collection devices, wearable tech, handheld units, and transportation vehicles like cars, ships, and planes through satellite communication technology. This pilot project aims to help the domestic satellite IoT sector scale efficiently, establish a regulatory and collaborative industrial ecosystem, boost private sector growth, foster commercial aerospace development, and nurture new productive forces.
Guodian Gaoke plans to leverage this two-year trial period to expedite the development and deployment of the Tianqi Constellation system, with the goal of achieving worldwide IoT coverage. The company is also committed to ensuring secure network operations, high-quality service, and proper management of code resources to maintain seamless communication. Currently, 41 satellites of the Tianqi Constellation are in orbit, completing the first phase of global network integration.
The issuance of this license signifies a shift in China’s approach toward commercial aerospace and satellite communications—from strict governmental oversight to pilot projects guided by regulatory frameworks, according to Wu Qi, a senior researcher at the Pangoal Institution. This transformation breaks away from the traditional state-centric model, opening the sector to private enterprise participation, which is expected to invigorate the market and lower entry barriers.
Over the next two to three years, growth in China’s low-Earth orbit satellite IoT networks is anticipated to accelerate, supplementing existing fifth- and sixth-generation terrestrial networks. The industry will see increased focus on miniaturization and cost reduction of terminals, fueling competition. Application scenarios are expected to rapidly diversify—from simple container tracking to industries like smart agriculture, emergency communication systems, and vehicle Internet technologies.
A forecast from Taibo Think Tank projects that China’s satellite IoT industry will grow at an average annual rate exceeding 40% from 2024 through 2028. By 2028, the market size is estimated to reach around 10 billion yuan (approximately 1.5 billion USD).
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