China launches commercial trial of satellite Internet of Things services

Visitors walk into the venue of the 2025 China 5G + Industrial Internet Conference in Wuhan, central China's Hubei province, Nov. 21, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

China has launched a commercial trial of satellite Internet of Things (IoT) services to diversify the supply in the satellite communication market and support the safe and healthy development of emerging industries such as commercial aerospace and the low-altitude economy, the Science and Technology Daily reported Saturday.

According to the 2025 China 5G + Industrial Internet Conference held in Wuhan, central China's Hubei province, the commercial trial will last for two years and support eligible enterprises in conducting satellite IoT services in accordance with laws and regulations.

The trial aims to diversify the supply in the satellite communication market, stimulate the vitality of market entities, enhance industry service capabilities, establish a security regulatory system, and develop replicable and scalable experiences and models.

Satellite IoT utilizes satellite communication technology to connect massive devices on the ground, in the oceans, and in the air, providing data collection and transmission services. Its application scenarios cover marine fisheries, transportation and logistics, energy and water resources, emergency communications, the low-altitude economy, and industrial Internet.

As an important component of new infrastructure, satellite communication development has entered the fast track in China this year, with significant progress made in constellation construction, technological breakthroughs, and industrial development.

In August 2025, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued a guidance on optimizing market access to promote the development of the satellite communication industry, which outlines a comprehensive plan and systematic approach to opening up satellite communication services.