Beijing Orders Telecom Overhaul to Track Drones in Lower Skies
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China has ordered its telecommunications industry to upgrade network infrastructure to better monitor low-altitude airspace, marking a key step to resolve safety concerns that have hindered the commercial drone sector.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, together with four other government departments, issued guidelines Tuesday requiring telecom operators to strengthen communication, navigation and surveillance capabilities for airspace below 300 meters. A technical executive at a leading domestic telecommunications-equipment maker told Caixin that authorities plan to select 10 cities for pilot programs
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- China’s government ordered telecom upgrades to monitor airspace below 300 meters and support commercial drone safety, piloting in 10 cities.
- Guidelines require 5G-A network enhancements for three-dimensional low-altitude surveillance, with major firms like China Mobile and Huawei involved.
- High costs exist: each 5G-A base station for low-altitude coverage exceeds $143,550, demanding dense deployment, but ongoing R&D aims to reduce expenses.
- China Mobile Ltd.
- China Mobile Ltd. is participating in developing 5G-A technology for low-altitude airspace monitoring. Its research institute, in collaboration with its Guangzhou branch and ZTE, conducted trials in October 2025, achieving drone communication coverage at heights of at least 500 meters. In November 2025, they unveiled a new radio-frequency architecture for comprehensive high-altitude coverage.
- China Unicom
- China Unicom is one of the major players involved in developing 5G-A technology for monitoring low-altitude airspace. This initiative aims to integrate communication and sensing functions within their existing 5G networks to enhance surveillance capabilities for drones, which are often missed by traditional radar systems. This technological advancement is crucial for the safe and regulated expansion of China's low-altitude economy.
- China Telecom Corp. Ltd.
- China Telecom Corp. Ltd. is one of the major players in China's telecommunications industry involved in developing 5G-A technology for low-altitude airspace monitoring. This initiative aims to address safety concerns surrounding commercial drones by integrating sensing functions into 5G networks, enabling better surveillance of unmanned aircraft.
- ZTE Corp.
- ZTE Corp. is a major telecommunications equipment maker that has entered the field of 5G-A technology. This technology enables base stations to function like radar, calculating device positions based on distance. In October 2025, ZTE participated in trials with the China Mobile Research Institute and China Mobile's local branch in Guangzhou, achieving drone communication coverage at heights of at least 500 meters.
- Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.
- Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. is a major player in the telecommunications industry that has entered the field of 5G-A technology. This technology allows base stations to function like radar, calculating a device's position based on distance. The company is involved in efforts to upgrade network infrastructure for monitoring low-altitude airspace.
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