China has approved Geespace, the satellite business backed by Geely Holding, to conduct a two-year commercial trial of satellite Internet-of-Things (IoT) services. The approval makes Geespace the first private Chinese company to secure such permission, marking an important step in Beijing’s effort to move commercial space activity from satellite demonstrations toward wider industrial applications.
The approval was issued by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and allows Geespace to use its satellite constellation for commercial IoT services. The development is significant for Geely because it expands the group’s ambitions beyond automobiles into satellite communications, connected mobility and space-based infrastructure.
Geespace Gets Two-Year Satellite IoT Approval
Geespace has received approval to conduct commercial trials of satellite IoT services for two years. The company is the commercial aerospace arm of Geely Holding and operates a low-Earth-orbit satellite network.
The approval creates a pathway for Geespace to test commercial services with customers and industrial users rather than limiting its satellites to technology demonstrations.
China had previously issued its first satellite IoT trial permit in May 2026 to Beijing Guodian High-Tech Technology, an entity backed by China Mobile. Geespace therefore becomes the second company to receive this type of approval, while being the first private Chinese company to secure it.
Geespace Satellite IoT Trial At A Glance
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Company | Geespace |
| Parent group | Geely Holding |
| Regulator | China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology |
| Trial duration | 2 years |
| Service | Satellite IoT |
| Company type | Private |
| Satellite network | Geely Future Mobility Constellation |
| Satellites reported in operation | 64 |
| First private Chinese company with approval | Yes |
| First satellite IoT trial permit in China | May 2026, Guodian Gaoke |
The two-year period gives Geespace an opportunity to test the commercial viability of satellite-connected IoT applications and build a customer base.
Why The Approval Matters For China’s Commercial Space Sector
China has been encouraging greater participation by private companies in commercial aerospace, and satellite IoT is an important part of that effort.
Traditional mobile networks cannot provide reliable connectivity everywhere. Satellite IoT can potentially connect devices in remote areas where terrestrial infrastructure is unavailable or uneconomical.
That creates applications across transportation, logistics, agriculture, fisheries, energy and other industries.
The Geespace approval therefore represents more than a regulatory milestone for one company. It demonstrates that China’s commercial satellite sector is gradually moving toward regulated commercial operations.
Satellite IoT Vs Traditional Connectivity
| Factor | Terrestrial IoT | Satellite IoT |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Depends on ground networks | Potentially much wider |
| Remote areas | Limited | Stronger potential |
| Infrastructure | Towers and fibre | Satellites and ground stations |
| Maritime applications | Limited | Strong potential |
| Rural monitoring | Network dependent | Satellite-enabled |
| Logistics tracking | Strong in connected regions | Useful across remote routes |
| Industrial monitoring | Network dependent | Useful in isolated locations |
The commercial trial could help establish how satellite connectivity can complement China’s existing terrestrial communications infrastructure.
Geespace Has 64 Satellites In Orbit
Geespace’s satellite network has grown significantly since the company began deploying its constellation.
Recent reporting indicates that Geespace has 64 satellites in orbit. The company has been developing the Geely Future Mobility Constellation as an integrated satellite network intended to support connectivity and positioning services.
The first phase of the constellation was designed around 72 satellites, with the network intended to support broad satellite IoT coverage.
Geespace Constellation
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Satellites currently reported in orbit | 64 |
| First-phase target | 72 satellites |
| Orbit | Low Earth orbit |
| Main capabilities | Connectivity and positioning |
| Parent company | Geely Holding |
| Commercial focus | Satellite IoT and related services |
The network’s scale gives Geespace an existing infrastructure base from which to begin commercial trials.
From Cars To Satellites
Geely’s involvement in satellite technology reflects the broader transformation of the automotive industry.
Modern vehicles increasingly rely on connectivity, positioning, cloud computing and data services. Satellite networks can provide additional connectivity in areas where conventional mobile networks are unavailable.
Geespace has previously worked on satellite-enabled connectivity for vehicles and other applications. Geely’s ecosystem has included satellite communication capabilities in some connected vehicles, allowing users to communicate through satellites when terrestrial networks are unavailable
Why Geely Is Investing In Space
| Automotive Requirement | Satellite Role |
|---|---|
| Vehicle connectivity | Satellite communication |
| Positioning | High-precision positioning |
| Remote-area connectivity | Backup to terrestrial networks |
| Autonomous driving | Potential positioning and data support |
| Fleet management | Tracking and communications |
| Smart mobility | Space-ground connectivity |
This makes satellites strategically relevant to Geely’s broader intelligent-mobility ambitions rather than simply representing a separate aerospace investment.
Satellite IoT Has Applications Beyond Vehicles
Although Geely’s automotive operations provide an important potential customer base, satellite IoT can serve a much wider industrial market.
Geespace has been associated with applications involving transportation, marine fisheries, heavy machinery and logistics. Satellite connectivity can be particularly useful for assets operating far from cellular networks.
Potential Geespace Applications
| Sector | Possible Satellite IoT Use |
|---|---|
| Automotive | Connected vehicles |
| Logistics | Vehicle and asset tracking |
| Maritime | Vessel monitoring |
| Fisheries | Remote fleet connectivity |
| Construction | Heavy-equipment monitoring |
| Energy | Remote infrastructure monitoring |
| Agriculture | Remote equipment and sensors |
| Utilities | Monitoring isolated assets |
The commercial trial could allow Geespace to determine which applications generate the strongest customer demand.
China Previously Approved Guodian Gaoke
Geespace’s approval follows China’s first satellite IoT commercial trial approval, granted to Beijing Guodian High-Tech Technology in May 2026.
Guodian Gaoke is backed by China Mobile and operates another large low-Earth-orbit satellite IoT constellation. Recent reporting puts its satellite count at 41, compared with 64 for Geespace.
The emergence of two approved operators creates the beginnings of a commercial satellite IoT market in China.
China’s Satellite IoT Operators
| Company | Backing | Satellites Reported | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geespace | Geely Holding | 64 | Commercial trial approved |
| Guodian Gaoke | China Mobile-backed | 41 | Commercial trial approved |
The presence of both a private-sector operator and a China Mobile-backed operator could also encourage competition in satellite connectivity services.
Commercial Approval Is Different From Satellite Deployment
Launching satellites does not automatically create a commercial business.
Operators need regulatory permission to provide services, customers willing to pay for connectivity and infrastructure capable of supporting reliable operations.
The MIIT approval is therefore important because it moves Geespace closer to the commercial stage.
From Satellite Launch To Commercial Service
| Stage | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Satellite development | Build spacecraft |
| Launch | Place satellites in orbit |
| Network operation | Establish ground and space infrastructure |
| Regulatory approval | Obtain permission for commercial trials |
| Customer testing | Deploy services with users |
| Commercial contracts | Convert trials into revenue |
| Scale | Expand users and applications |
The two-year trial provides Geespace with time to work through several of these stages.
Satellite IoT Could Help Connect Remote Industries
One of the strongest use cases for satellite IoT is connecting assets that operate outside conventional communications coverage.
A truck travelling through a remote area, a fishing vessel at sea or industrial equipment operating far from a city may not have consistent access to terrestrial networks.
Low-power satellite connectivity can provide a way to send small amounts of information without requiring extensive local infrastructure.
This could make satellite IoT particularly useful for tracking, monitoring and basic machine-to-machine communications.
Geely Is Building A Broader Space-Earth Ecosystem
Geespace is part of Geely’s wider effort to integrate space infrastructure with mobility and digital services.
The company’s satellite activities include both communications and high-precision positioning. The long-term strategy is to connect vehicles and other moving assets with satellite infrastructure while integrating those services with terrestrial networks.
Geely’s Space-Mobility Strategy
| Layer | Role |
|---|---|
| Satellites | Connectivity and positioning |
| Ground infrastructure | Network management |
| Vehicles | Connected endpoints |
| Cloud platforms | Data processing |
| AI | Data-driven mobility applications |
| Terrestrial networks | Complementary connectivity |
The approach reflects the growing convergence of automotive technology, telecommunications, cloud computing and aerospace.
Commercial Space Is Becoming More Competitive In China
China’s regulatory approval of private satellite IoT services comes as the country’s commercial space industry expands.
Private companies are increasingly involved in satellite manufacturing, launch services, communications and related technologies.
For Beijing, commercial participation can help expand the country’s space capabilities while creating new technology companies and industrial supply chains.
China’s Commercial Space Opportunity
| Area | Growth Opportunity |
|---|---|
| Satellite manufacturing | Larger domestic constellations |
| Satellite IoT | Industrial connectivity |
| Launch services | More frequent satellite deployment |
| Navigation | High-precision positioning |
| Remote sensing | Earth observation |
| Telecommunications | Satellite connectivity |
| Connected mobility | Vehicle-space integration |
Geespace’s approval adds satellite IoT to the growing list of areas where private-sector participation is becoming more commercially structured.
The Automotive-Space Connection Is Growing
Geely is not alone in exploring the relationship between automobiles and satellites.
Connected vehicles increasingly require accurate positioning, communication and data services. Satellite infrastructure can provide additional capabilities, particularly when vehicles operate across regions with inconsistent terrestrial coverage.
Geespace’s network has therefore been designed with mobility applications in mind, while also targeting other industries.
This could eventually create a business model where automotive connectivity provides an initial market before satellite IoT expands into broader industrial applications.
The Bigger Picture
China’s approval of Geespace’s two-year commercial satellite IoT trial marks an important step in the country’s push to turn private-sector space infrastructure into commercially viable services. Geespace becomes the first private Chinese company to receive this type of approval, while China Mobile-backed Guodian Gaoke remains the other approved operator. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
For Geely, the development represents another expansion beyond conventional automotive manufacturing. With 64 satellites reportedly in orbit and a first-phase constellation target of 72, Geespace already has a significant network on which to build commercial services. The company can now test satellite connectivity across vehicles, logistics, maritime operations and other remote industrial applications. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Looking Ahead
The next challenge for Geespace will be turning regulatory approval and satellite infrastructure into a sustainable commercial business. The two-year trial should provide data on customer demand, service reliability, pricing and which industrial applications are most commercially attractive.
For China, the development could help establish satellite IoT as a new commercial communications layer alongside terrestrial networks. Competition between Geespace and China Mobile-backed Guodian Gaoke may accelerate the development of services and applications, while Geely’s involvement could further strengthen the connection between satellites, connected vehicles and intelligent mobility
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