Photo: Courtesy of Beijing Guodian High-Tech Technology Co

　　China"s private space company Beijing Guodian High-Tech Technology Co has received approval from Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) to conduct the country"s first commercial pilot program for satellite-based Internet of Things (IoT) services, the company told the Global Times on Wednesday.

　　The approval allows the company to launch a two-year trial using its Tianqi constellation network, which consists of 41 satellites now.

　　Satellite IoT services refer to low-data-rate connectivity enabled by satellite communication technology, providing wide-area network links for data collection terminals, wearable devices, handheld units, as well as vehicles such as cars, ships, and aircraft.

　　According to the MIIT website, the Tianqi constellation is designed to deliver wide coverage, low power consumption, and high reliability IoT connectivity, enabling all-weather, intelligent data collection and remote control across sectors including marine fisheries, energy and water conservancy, transportation, and logistics.

　　As China"s satellite communications industry continues to accelerate commercialization, satellite IoT is expected to become an important complement to the country"s broadband satellite internet system. The approved pilot program is also aimed at stimulating private-sector vitality, supporting commercial space development, fostering new quality productive forces, and advancing a modern industrial system, said the MIIT.