Satellite internet is a technology that provides internet service via communication satellites. Compared to ground-based infrastructure, satellite internet offers significant advantages, including extensive coverage, rapid deployment, and the ability to maintain stable communication during emergencies such as natural disasters.[ii] Its service covers entire regions on Earth. Satellite internet works by transmitting data signals from the user’s computer to a satellite in space, which then relays the signals to a Network Operations Centre (NOC) on Earth, which routes the data to its final destination on the internet.[iii]

Due to its wide coverage, it has become a popular choice for users in rural and hard-to-reach areas. It enables communication across specialised fields such as aviation, maritime navigation, military operations, scientific research and emergency response. Among the functional LEO satellite communication networks are the United States’ Starlink and Kuiper, and ‘OneWeb’—a joint venture project of France, the UK, and India. China is developing its LEO satellite communication network that primarily involves the ‘Guowang/China SatNet’ and ‘Qianfan/Spacesail’ mega-constellations of LEO satellites.

The ‘Guowang/ China SatNet’ represents China’s first mega-constellation LEO satellite internet initiative, as well as its first integrated space-and-air 6G internet project. The plan includes launching a total of 12,992 satellites, organised into two sub-constellations: GW-A59 (6,080 satellites) and GW-A2 (6,912 satellites), to establish a high-speed communication network with global coverage.[iv] As per the schedule, the China SatNet Project is required to deploy approximately 1,300 satellites by 2029, 6,500 by 2032, and 12,992 by 2034. As of April 2026, China has deployed about 160 satellites operating in low Earth orbit, including the 20th batch deployed in March........

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