Aug 21, 2026 (InvestinChina.asia) – China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has granted approval to Zhejiang Space-time Daoyu Technology Co for a two-year commercial pilot of satellite-based Internet of Things (IoT) services, marking the second such authorization to a private company as Beijing accelerates the opening of the sector.
The pilot, which runs through August 2028, allows the company to operate satellite IoT services using the “Geely Future Mobility Constellation (Phase I)” to provide low-power, wide-coverage connectivity for applications including smart transportation, marine fisheries, energy, and water resources management.
Satellite IoT services deliver low-speed data connectivity via satellite communication technology to a range of terminals — including wearables, handheld devices, vehicles, ships, and aircraft. The commercial trials are intended to help the sector achieve economies of scale and foster a coordinated, regulated, and collaborative industry ecosystem.
The approval is the latest signal of Beijing’s commitment to expanding private-sector participation in the commercial space economy, a strategic priority framed as part of broader efforts to cultivate “new quality productive forces” and modernize the industrial system.
Stepping Up Private-Sector Access
The MIIT first launched satellite IoT commercial trials in November 2025, and in May of this year granted its initial pilot approval to Beijing Guodian Gaoke Technology Co, also for a two-year term.
The repeated approvals underscore a deliberate policy shift toward liberalizing satellite communications — a domain historically dominated by state-owned enterprises — as China seeks to harness private capital and innovation to build out its space infrastructure.
Looking ahead, the ministry said it would balance development with security considerations, further optimize market access for satellite communications, and strengthen oversight and safety mechanisms across the value chain to support high-quality growth in the sector.