China Mobile Applies to MIIT for Satellite Mobile Communication Business License
On September 9, China Securities Journal reporters exclusively learned from relevant business officials of China Mobile that the company is applying for a satellite mobile communication business license to lay the policy foundation for legally conducting mobile phone direct-to-satellite services. The application has now entered the review process.
Reporters learned that China Mobile has already undertaken significant practices in satellite-terrestrial integrated communication. In June 2024, China Mobile completed the world’s first laboratory verification of voice calls based on operator network IoT-NTN IMS for mobile phone direct-to-high-orbit satellite connections. In July 2024, it established the Satellite-Terrestrial Integration Technology Research Institute to comprehensively advance satellite communication technology research. In November 2024, China Mobile partnered with China Time and Space to launch the Beidou messaging service, enabling communication in network-free environments.
On September 8, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued a satellite mobile communication business license to China Unicom. According to the license, China Unicom can legally conduct services such as mobile phone direct-to-satellite connections, deepen applications in scenarios like emergency communication, maritime communication, and remote area communication, and enrich communication services and product offerings.
Recently, MIIT issued the "Guiding Opinions on Optimizing Business Access to Promote the Development of the Satellite Communication Industry," which proposes that by 2030, new models and formats such as mobile phone direct-to-satellite connections will be widely applied, with satellite communication users exceeding 10 million.
The document states that telecom operators will be supported in deeply exploring the application potential of high-orbit satellites such as Tiantong and Beidou through co-construction and sharing models with satellite enterprises. It also promotes the accelerated adoption of direct-to-satellite connections for mobile phones and other terminal devices, providing ground mobile communication users with satellite-based voice and messaging services.
Additionally, the document proposes scientifically planning satellite communication numbering resources. For mobile terminals, it innovates the "no SIM card change, no number change" model, deeply explores the potential of existing numbers, supports mobile phone direct-to-satellite applications, and promotes the deep integration of satellite communication and terrestrial mobile communication.
Industry insiders stated that more operators obtaining satellite mobile communication business licenses will help satellite mobile communication services reach more ordinary users. In the future, satellite communication will integrate with terrestrial mobile communication and be widely applied across various industries and fields.
