China Unicom just scored a major tech upgrade! The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) greenlit the telecom giant to operate satellite mobile services, paving the way for direct-to-cell coverage in emergencies, remote areas, and maritime zones. Think of it as a lifeline when Wi-Fi bars vanish 🚨—or when you’re stranded on a boat 🚢.
This move puts China Unicom in the same orbit as China Telecom, which launched similar services last year. Meanwhile, China Mobile is still waiting for its license but already offers satellite-based texts via the BeiDou system. The space race is heating up! 🚀
MIIT’s new guidelines aim to turbocharge the sector by 2030, with plans to boost low-Earth orbit satellites, encourage public-private partnerships, and make satellite connectivity as common as 5G. Imagine streaming TikTok from the Himalayas—no buffering! 🏔️📲
State-owned enterprises are leading the charge, but private companies could soon dive into satellite IoT and other futuristic fields. MIIT also wants tighter collaboration across supply chains to ensure reliability and security. Translation: Your future phone might just work anywhere on Earth. 🌍✨
