China's satellite internet development has recently made significant progress, with low-orbit satellite networks entering a phase of high-frequency launches. A digital blogger revealed that models like the Huawei Mate X6 are already compatible and will begin public testing of satellite connectivity in the second half of 2025. The era of mobile phones connecting directly to the internet via satellite is almost here.
Low-orbit satellites, with their low latency and high speeds, are becoming a crucial component of future communications networks. Unlike medium-orbit navigation satellites and high-orbit satellites, which only offer short messaging and voice calls, low-orbit satellites can achieve both voice calls and data transmission, filling network gaps in remote and oceanic areas. The widespread adoption of this technology may overcome the limitations of traditional communications, which rely on ground-based base stations, and provide a new solution for seamless global coverage.
As a leading manufacturer of mobile satellite connectivity, Huawei released the first phone to support Beidou satellite messaging, the Mate 50 Pro, in September 2022. This feature allows for sending location information and custom text even without a terrestrial network, setting a precedent for direct satellite connectivity for smartphones. The Mate 60 Pro, released in 2023, added Tiantong-1 satellite calling capabilities, enabling two-way calls in areas without signal coverage via China's proprietary mobile communications satellite system. The Mate 70 series, released in 2025, will feature concurrent Beidou and Tiantong satellite communications, becoming the world's first smartphone to support dual-satellite communications.
The rapid development of satellite internet not only demonstrates the strength of my country's satellite aerospace technology but also brings unprecedented convenience to ordinary users. With the launch of Huawei's public beta program, direct satellite connectivity on mobile phones will gradually become part of everyday life.
