Beijing sets up satellite internet measures as China aims to build new space infrastructure

Beijing is rolling out a series of policy measures, including financing, to support the country’s development of a satellite internet services industry, according to a notice published on Wednesday by the city’s Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology.

Satellite-based internet services are expected to enable broader online access for people and enterprises in China’s remote and poorer areas, as well as for those in the country’s aviation and maritime industries.

The policy initiative by the nation’s capital marked the latest satellite internet development programme by a major Chinese city, following those rolled out by other local governments including Shanghai, Wuhan and Chongqing, according to Lan Tianyi, chief executive of Beijing-based space consulting firm Ultimate Blue Nebula.

The Beijing bureau said in its notice that it will support both state-owned companies and private satellite internet firms to develop their operations in the city, while helping them attract talent and receive favourable tax and housing arrangements. It aimed to help these enterprises develop satellite-based internet applications in industries such as logistics and aviation.