By Zhou Jianqi & Xu Yingjie, Enterprise Research Institute, DRC; Shi Ying, Institute of Economic System and Management, National Development and Reform Commission; and Chen Junjun, China Economic Times

Research Report, No.3, 2021 (Total 6068) 2020-1-8

Abstract: The satellite is an important part in forming a sky-to-ground Internet of things with human-computer interaction. China has gained a certain global competitive edge in the satellite IoT industry, with its mastery of satellite production and rocket launching technologies for the upper stream, valuable orbit and frequency sources gained by constellation operation companies in the initial period for the mid-stream, and a huge domestic market with immense potential for the downstream. Satellite constellation operation is an important link in satellite IoT. Constellations are divided into three types: high-orbit, mid-orbit and low-orbit. China has made a strategic layout in mid-and-high orbits, but still needs to enhance operational capacity in low-orbit constellations. Incompetent low-orbit constellation operation will hinder the effort to tap into China’s domestic demand for the Internet of things. Specifically, China has yet to make a precise strategy, a clear plan or adopt sufficient supportive policies. It is suggested that China clarify the strategy for new-type low-orbit constellation infrastructure, improve the plan for building low-orbit constellations, and prioritize low-orbit constellation operation in China’s commercialization and opening-up of satellite IoT.

Keywords: satellite IoT, low-orbit constellations, policy options