ALBAWABA – China launched a massive space project to compete with Elon Musk’s Starlink, the international telecommunications provider that is a wholly owned subsidiary of American aerospace company SpaceX.
China and Starlink
China announced the launch of a massive space project with the aim to compete with Starlink and target diverse countries, including Russia, Syria, and Afghanistan.
It is worth noting that Starlink is one of the largest satellite projects in the world. The company operates about 7,000 satellites and provides internet service to nearly 5 million users in more than 100 countries.
China decided to invest and develop in a domestic internet service provider as Starlink offers an uncensored internet service, which in China’s opinion is imposing threats to the country and its censorship regime. (Shutterstock)
China is focused on competing with Starlink by building a massive satellite network similar in scope. The country plans to launch and operate approximately 38,000 satellites through three major projects: Qianfan, Guo Wang, and Honghu-3.
Notably, China decided to invest and develop in a domestic internet service provider as Starlink offers an uncensored internet service, which in China’s opinion is imposing threats to the country and its censorship regime.
Steve Feldstein, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, commented: “Starlink has really shown that it is able to bring internet access to individuals and citizens in remote corners and provide an ability for citizens to access the internet and whatever websites, whatever apps they would like.”
Experts believe that China is unlikely to compete in Western markets such as the United States or Europe. However, it may target other regions, including Russia, Syria, and Afghanistan, where satellite internet is in high demand, particularly in conflict zones.
