Market Expansion of China’s Satellite Phone Services
China’s satellite communication market is booming, with三大运营商 (three major operators)—China Telecom, China Mobile, and China Unicom—now licensed to provide services. China Telecom first launched direct-to-cellphone satellite services in 2023, followed by China Mobile’s “BeiDou + TianTong” dual-satellite initiative. These offerings include affordable plans, like Hong Kong’s monthly fee of HKD 12, making satellite access more democratic. The satellite phone China ecosystem includes partnerships with brands like Huawei and Xiaomi, embedding satellite features into smartphones. As costs drop, demand is rising from sectors like logistics and tourism, fueling a projected trillion-yuan industry.