Chinese Geespace received a two-year permit to test a satellite communications network
- Geespace received a two-year permit to test its satellite network.
- The system is aimed at low-cost data transmission for IoT devices.
- By 2030, the number of satellite IoT devices could double.
- The project plans to deploy more than 5,600 satellites by completion.
In 2018, the Chinese conglomerate Geely Holding Group established a subsidiary, Geespace, tasked with building an orbital constellation of communication satellites focused on low data transmission costs. Over five years, the company developed a concept that allows terminals installed in cars, trains, and ships to connect to a single satellite network.
This month, Geespace officially received permission from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China to conduct tests of its system for two years. This was reported in a notice published on the ministry's website and confirmed by material from the South China Morning Post.
This is the first permit in the history of China issued to a private company for satellite communication testing. Earlier in May of the same year, a similar permit was granted to Beijing Guodian High-Tech Technology, funded by the state telecommunications giant China Mobile.
The technically developed infrastructure is designed to support the development of the Internet of Things (IoT) in China. Unlike the American Starlink project, which focuses on high transmission speeds, Chinese systems are oriented towards energy efficiency and wide coverage, which is important for millions of sensors and devices operating in remote areas.
From 2022 to 2025, Geespace launched 64 satellites into orbit as part of six launches, completing the first phase of deployment. According to the company's plans, by the end of the project, the number of satellites is expected to exceed 5,600, which will provide global coverage.
The company is already collaborating with telecom operators in more than 20 countries, including nations in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. This large-scale approach demonstrates China's ambition to take a leading position in the field of satellite IoT communication.
Prospects of the satellite IoT communication market
According to the analytical firm ABI Research, in 2023, approximately 13.6 million devices were using satellite communication, which is an increase of 20.7% compared to the previous year. Forecasts indicate more than a doubling of this figure by 2030 – up to 28.6 million devices, and the associated revenue could reach $3.1 billion.
The success of Geespace may signal other Chinese telecommunications operators who also plan to develop satellite solutions for IoT. With a reduction in equipment costs and energy consumption, such networks can connect billions of devices, creating new infrastructure for smart cities, logistics, and agriculture.
Thus, the obtained permission paves the way for large-scale trials that could confirm the viability of the low-cost satellite communication model and strengthen China's position in the global IoT sector.
Source: 3DNews
