China launches commercial trials for satellite Internet of Things

China has officially launched a two-year commercial trial of satellite-based Internet of Things (IoT) services to advance the country's efforts to build an integrated space-air-ground network, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced on Saturday.

The announcement was made at the China 5G+ Industrial Internet Conference, which runs from Friday to Sunday in Wuhan City, central China's Hubei Province.

Satellite IoT is a low-speed data service that uses satellite communication to connect a wide range of IoT devices, from industrial sensors to vehicles and vessels, enabling wide-area coverage in regions beyond the reach of traditional terrestrial networks. While the data rate per transmission is lower than that of mobile internet, the technology offers a vital solution for connectivity in remote or challenging environments such as oceans, mountains, and industrial corridors.

The commercial trial will last for two years, aiming to diversify the satellite communication market supply and support the safe and healthy development of emerging industries such as commercial aerospace and the low-altitude economy.

"Satellite IoT can provide comprehensive information services for vehicles, ships, drones, oil and gas pipelines, and industrial equipment, paving the way for a wide range of large-scale applications," said Liu Haijiao, deputy director of the Wireless Informatization Research Department of the Institute of Standards and Technology of China Academy of Information and Communications Technology

At an exhibition booth, Yao Wenxuan, director of the Solutions Center at Hubei Telecom, demonstrated a terminal capable of linking with the Tiantong satellite.

"This is a terminal that establishes a data link with the Tiantong satellite, and it supports a data rate of 9.6KB per second. It enables connectivity in areas that traditional conventional IoT technologies cannot cover, such as over oceans or in deep mountains," he said.

The initiative is expected to generate substantial demand for satellite launches, boosting development across the industrial chain, from satellite manufacturing to rocket launch services.

"Currently, we can produce 100 to 150 satellites weighing under 500 kilograms per year. Its applications are wide-ranging, including remote sensing, communication, and deep space exploration," said Liu Zhengfeng, deputy general manager of Hunan Satellite Technology Co., Ltd.

China launches commercial trials for satellite Internet of Things

Exhibition booth construction for the 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE) began on Tuesday in Shanghai, ahead of the event scheduled to run from November 5 to 10.

The construction work is proceeding in an orderly manner at the National Exhibition and Convention Center, the main venue for the event, and some booths have already taken shape.

The Shanghai police have launched support operations to ensure a smooth and orderly preparation process. To prevent congestion caused by the concentrated arrival of heavy trucks, the police have optimized the freight vehicle entry process this year.

"We use remote security checks and waiting areas before freight vehicles enter the north square. This can avoid vehicle pile-ups in the north square and prevent traffic congestion on the roads surrounding the National Exhibition and Convention Center," said Li Lei, a police officer.

To further facilitate the expo, the police have reduced the closed management time and extended the setup period, allowing exhibitors to enter the venue earlier to build their booths.

The police have also increased patrol frequency to ensure safety and order throughout the preparation phase.

Construction of exhibition booths begins for 9th CIIE in Shanghai