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Currently, the competitive landscape for global low-orbit satellite internet is rapidly taking shape, presenting a clear picture of strategic rivalry.

At MWC 2026, SpaceX announced that its direct-to-cell service has been renamed Starlink Mobile. The company plans to utilize higher-capacity V2 satellites, global S-band spectrum, and partnerships with operators (such as Deutsche Telekom) to provide satellite mobile connectivity with an experience close to terrestrial 5G globally starting in 2027. On March 6th, Eutelsat announced the completion of a refinancing plan totaling approximately $5.8 billion, aiming to accelerate its transformation into a 'GEO+LEO' multi-orbit operator.

Domestic policies are also intensifying. This year's Government Work Report mentioned satellite internet independently for the first time. In the section on accelerating the cultivation and growth of new drivers, the report states, 'Accelerate the development of satellite internet.'

As one of the key leaders behind China's two major low-orbit satellite constellations, Zhang Qi, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Vice Chairman of the Shanghai Committee of the China National Democratic Construction Association, General Manager of Shanghai Lianhe Investment Co., Ltd., and Chairman of Shanghai Yuanxin Satellite Technology Co., Ltd., revealed in an interview that the Thousand Sails Constellation has currently launched 108 networking satellites and initially established a ground measurement and control network. It is expected to achieve initial global coverage within the year. The Thousand Sails Constellation is a massive low-orbit constellation invested in and constructed by Shanghai Yuanxin. Its long-term plan involves having over 15,000 satellites in orbit, aiming to build an integrated space-air-ground network integrating 6G, AI, and the Internet of Things to support a trillion-yuan-level digital economy scenario.

In his interview, Zhang Qi pointed out a series of bottlenecks and pain points in China's satellite internet industry. For instance, high-capacity, highly reliable, reusable, and low-cost launch vehicles are still in the experimental stage. Resources for launches, measurement, and control are strained and cannot yet fully meet the rapid networking demands of a massive constellation. Furthermore, in key supporting areas of the satellite internet industry, the capacity for low-cost mass production of chips, payloads, antennas, and terminals is insufficient; product advancement needs improvement; and they cannot yet meet the market competition needs of commercial constellations.

To help the industry accelerate the formation of comprehensive competitive advantages, Zhang Qi proposed several suggestions: promptly introduce主力 models of rockets with high capacity and low cost; increase the布局 of launch sites and launch pad facilities; establish a dynamic adjustment mechanism for launch schedules; increase financial and policy support for intelligent, batch manufacturing processes and production line construction for satellites; and recommend establishing and improving a risk hedging system suited to the characteristics of low-orbit satellite internet.

In addition to rapid networking, the Thousand Sails Constellation has also been conducting various technical and commercial validation projects both domestically and internationally. Domestically, the constellation completed a satellite internet test on a cruise ship in Hong Kong with China Mobile (Hong Kong), verifying maritime communication capabilities. Overseas, Brazil has become its first commercial market in Latin America. The constellation is collaborating with Telebras to provide broadband to rural areas, schools, and hospitals; the gateway stations have been debugged, and commercial services are imminent. Furthermore, it is advancing cooperation with Thailand's National Telecom and Malaysia's MEASAT.