China Approves First Private Satellite IoT Commercial Trial for Geely-Backed Geespace
Cgtn · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago6 MIN
Summary
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has approved the first private-sector commercial trial for satellite Internet of Things (IoT) services, granting a two-year permit to Zhejiang Geespace Technology Co., Ltd. (浙江时空道宇科技有限公司), the commercial space subsidiary of electric vehicle maker Geely (吉利). The approval, announced on Thursday, positions Geespace as the first private Chinese company to secure approval for a satellite IoT commercial trial, underscoring Beijing's push to accelerate development of its commercial space sector .
Key Points
- Zhejiang Geespace Technology received a two-year commercial trial permit from MIIT, becoming the first private Chinese company approved for satellite IoT services
- During the trial, Geespace will provide wide-area, low-power, reliable IoT connectivity for smart transportation, marine fisheries, energy, and water conservancy sectors
- Geespace launched 64 satellites in six missions between 2022 and 2025 to build its proprietary orbital network
- The company was founded in 2018 and is part of Geely, one of China's largest electric vehicle manufacturers
- In May this year, Beijing Guodian Gaoke Technology received China's first satellite IoT trial permit; China launched commercial trials of satellite IoT services in November 2025
- A State Council policy document issued in November 2025 called for equal treatment of private investment projects in commercial spaceflight frequency licensing and launch approvals
- Satellite IoT uses satellite networks to connect devices such as data terminals, wearable devices, cars, ships, and aircraft in areas with limited terrestrial network coverage
Why It Matters
This approval signals a significant shift in China's space policy, as private companies have historically been limited to satellite manufacturing and launch services while basic telecommunications licenses were held by state-owned enterprises. The trial will help satellite IoT services achieve economies of scale and promote more coordinated industry development, paving the way for broader private-sector participation in China's commercial space sector . Satellite IoT differs from broadband constellations like SpaceX's Starlink or China's Qianfan system by prioritizing reliable, low-power connections for large numbers of devices in remote areas such as oceans, deserts, and isolated infrastructure sites .
This approval signals a significant shift in China's space policy, as private companies have historically been limited to satellite manufacturing and launch services while basic telecommunications licenses were held by state-owned enterprises. The trial will help satellite IoT services achieve economies of scale and promote more coordinated industry development, paving the way for broader private-sector participation in China's commercial space sector . Satellite IoT differs from broadband constellations like SpaceX's Starlink or China's Qianfan system by prioritizing reliable, low-power connections for large numbers of devices in remote areas such as oceans, deserts, and isolated infrastructure sites .