China has launched a new satellite short messaging service leveraging the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), designed to provide reliable communication during emergencies when ground-based mobile networks are unavailable.
The service was introduced by China Space-Time Information Co., Ltd., the national operator of the BeiDou services, in collaboration with major domestic telecom carriers, the company announced on Thursday.
The service is poised to serve as a critical supplement to terrestrial mobile networks. It is expected to enhance safety and communication reliability for users across scenarios such as hiking in remote mountains, working at sea, and disaster relief and emergency coordination.
It marks a significant step toward bringing satellite communication technology to the public, the company said, adding that it integrates BeiDou's capabilities into daily life, offering tangible technological protection.
The service uses the short-message service built into the BeiDou system, enabling users with compatible smartphones to send and receive text messages directly via BeiDou satellites in areas without cellular coverage.
China's three primary telecom operators -- China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom -- have all integrated the service. Subscribers can activate the service without changing their SIM cards or phone numbers, according to the company.
Currently, nearly 60 smartphone models from leading Chinese brands already support the functionality, it said.
China Space-Time Information specializes in satellite navigation and communications, big data services, artificial intelligence development, and geospatial remote sensing.
China launches BeiDou-based satellite short messaging service for emergency needs
China launches BeiDou-based satellite short messaging service for emergency needs
African officials on Wednesday pledged to scale up investment to accelerate development across the member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at a meeting in Accra, Ghana's capital.
They made the commitment during the 24th Annual General Meeting of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), where leaders highlighted the need to expand the bank's capital base to finance transformative projects.
Ghanaian Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson stressed that timely capital payments would strengthen EBID's leverage and sustain its growth, enabling the institution to stimulate inclusive economic expansion across the region.
"Timely capital payments are critical. It strengthens EBID leverage and sustains its growth and impact across our region. Expanding our capital base is essential to strengthen our ability to finance transformative development projects and stimulate inclusive economic growth among our member states," said Forson.
EBID recorded strong achievements in 2025, with total disbursements of about 722 million U.S. dollars, up 47.7 percent from 2024. Building on that momentum, President George Agyekum Donkor said the bank remains committed to helping member states tackle poverty and close infrastructure gaps across the region.
"We aim to direct at least 63 percent of new commitments towards the private enterprises to catalyze job creation and innovation. Simultaneously, the bank would embed environmental, social and governance principles across its operations, dedicating over 41 percent of resources to climate mitigation and social inclusion projects," said Donkor.
With disbursements surging nearly 48 percent last year, EBID officials said the bank is positioned to channel more resources into private-sector growth and climate-focused projects, reinforcing its role as a driver of inclusive development across West Africa.
African officials vow stronger investment push at ECOWAS bank meeting in Accra
