What's Happening?
China has initiated a two-year commercial trial program for satellite Internet of Things (IoT) services, aiming to enhance low-Earth-orbit (LEO) connectivity and accelerate the adoption of non-terrestrial IoT across various industries. Announced during
the 2025 China 5G + Industrial Internet Conference in Wuhan, the trial will enable approved enterprises to deploy and validate satellite-based IoT services in real-world conditions. Target sectors include logistics, agriculture, emergency response, and industrial internet applications, particularly in areas with weak 4G/5G coverage. Companies participating in the trial must adhere to regulations set by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), including registration, terminal certification, spectrum use, security compliance, and performance reporting.
Why It's Important?
The trial program is a significant step in China's strategy to integrate non-terrestrial networks (NTN) into its next-generation infrastructure. By supporting faster deployment of domestic LEO constellations and hybrid 5G/NTN service models, the initiative aims to provide ubiquitous coverage for industrial use cases. This development could strengthen China's position in the global NTN ecosystem, offering vendors, operators, and industrial customers a framework to validate performance, security, and operational models before full market rollout. The expansion of satellite IoT services is expected to enhance connectivity in remote areas, boosting efficiency and innovation in key sectors.
