China launches world's first 6G test satellite

The low-earth orbit satellite offers low latency and high data transfer rates.

China’s state-owned telecom operator has successfully launched the world’s first 6G satellite as part of the country’s efforts to explore integrated space and ground communication technology.

The low-Earth orbit test satellite is the first to employ 6G design architecture which was jointly developed by China Mobile and the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Innovation Academy for Microsatellites. It was launched along with another satellite that comes with China Mobile's 5G technology.

According to China Mobile, the system supports in-orbit software reconstruction, flexible deployment of core network functions and automated management which enhance the efficiency and reliability of in-orbit operation of the satellite core network.

Set at an orbit height of approximately 500 kilometres, these experimental satellites offer advantages such as low latency and high data transfer rates compared with high-orbit satellites which travel at 36,000 kilometres.

Positioned as a crucial platform for future integrated space and ground networks, China Mobile explained that low-earth orbit satellites can address telecom signal coverage gaps in terrestrial mobile networks, providing higher bandwidth satellite internet services globally.