BUSINESS

China Opens Satellite Market to Big Three Carriers in Push for Global Edge

Published: Sep. 30, 2025 5:01 a.m. GMT+8

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Signage for China Mobile Ltd. atop a store in Shanghai, China, on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.

China Mobile Ltd. has received a license to operate satellite mobile communication services, ending China Telecom Corp. Ltd.’s monopoly and opening a three-way contest among the country’s state-owned carriers.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced the approval on Monday, just over 20 days after it granted a similar license to China United Network Communications Group Co. Ltd. (China Unicom) on Sept. 8. For years, China Telecom had been the sole licensed provider of such services.

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China Mobile and China Unicom received licenses to offer satellite mobile services, ending China Telecom's monopoly and intensifying market competition.
China Telecom’s Tiantong satellite subscriptions exceeded 3 million, with satellite revenue up 20.5% year-on-year in H1 2025.
Despite rapid domestic growth, Chinese satellite firms face challenges abroad due to hurdles in overseas expansion and higher technology costs.

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Who’s Who

China Mobile Ltd.: China Mobile Ltd. recently received a license to operate satellite mobile communication services, ending China Telecom Corp. Ltd.'s monopoly. This allows China Mobile to launch its "BeiDou + Tiantong" dual-satellite communications services. The company co-founded China Time-Space Information Group Co. Ltd. to further develop its satellite businesses.

China Telecom Corp. Ltd.: China Telecom Corp. Ltd. previously held a monopoly on satellite mobile communication services. While historically serving government and enterprise clients, it has expanded into the consumer market, especially with the rise of direct-to-device connectivity. Leveraging its first-mover advantage, China Telecom has over 3 million "Tiantong" satellite subscribers, and its satellite revenue grew 20.5% in the first half of 2025. It is now facing increased competition from China Mobile and China Unicom.

China United Network Communications Group Co. Ltd.: China United Network Communications Group Co. Ltd. (China Unicom) recently received a license to operate satellite mobile communication services, ending China Telecom's previous monopoly. This development allows China Unicom to compete in the growing consumer satellite communications market, sharing China Telecom's Tiantong satellite resources and partnering with private firms for low-orbit satellite internet services. They also launched an emergency satellite communication service for 10 yuan per month.

Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.: Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. launched the Mate 60 Pro in August 2023, which was the world's first smartphone with satellite voice calling. This spurred the integration of satellite features into consumer products, with over 30 phone models now supporting this function, and the trend extending to the auto industry.

BYD Co. Ltd.: **BYD Co. Ltd.**, a Chinese multinational automotive manufacturer, has adopted satellite links as a safety feature in its vehicles. This move comes amidst fierce competition in the auto industry and the growing trend of integrating satellite technology into consumer products.

Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd.: Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd. is an automaker that has adopted satellite links as a safety feature in their vehicles. This move comes amid fierce competition in the auto industry, reflecting a growing trend to integrate satellite connectivity into consumer products.

Seres Group Co. Ltd.: Seres Group Co. Ltd. is mentioned as one of the automotive companies that have adopted satellite links as a safety feature in their vehicles. This trend reflects the intensification of the race to integrate satellite features into consumer products, alongside companies like BYD Co. Ltd. and Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd.

China Time-Space Information Group Co. Ltd.: China Time-Space Information Group Co. Ltd. was co-founded by China Mobile, China Satellite Network Group, and China North Industries Group Corp. in April 2024. Its purpose is to develop satellite businesses. This initiative comes as China Mobile received a license to operate satellite mobile communication services, aiming to commercially launch its "BeiDou + Tiantong" dual-satellite communications services.

China North Industries Group Corp.: China North Industries Group Corp. (Norinco) co-founded China Time-Space Information Group Co. Ltd. in April 2024. This joint venture, also involving China Mobile and China Satellite Network Group, aims to develop satellite businesses within China.

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What Happened When

August 2023：: Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. launched the Mate 60 Pro, the world’s first smartphone with satellite voice calling.

April 2024：: China Mobile, China Satellite Network Group, and China North Industries Group Corp. co-founded China Time-Space Information Group Co. Ltd. to develop satellite businesses.

First half of 2025：: China Telecom’s satellite revenue grew 20.5% year on year.

September 8, 2025：: The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology granted China Unicom a license to operate satellite mobile communication services.

September 9, 2025：: China Unicom launched an emergency satellite communication service for 10 yuan ($1.4) per month, a day after receiving its license.

September 29, 2025：: The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced approval for China Mobile to operate satellite mobile communication services.

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