China’s SpaceSail Could Beat Starlink in the Global Satellite Internet Race
Starlink may have been the first to dominate space-based broadband, but the race isn’t over yet.
It’s easy to forget how much we rely on the internet—until you’re somewhere it doesn’t work. For people in remote areas, satellite internet has been a game changer, bringing fast connections where traditional broadband can’t reach. Starlink has led the charge, but it might not have the market to itself for much longer.
China is moving in. A new satellite internet project called SpaceSail, backed by the Shanghai government and Chinese Academy of Sciences, is gearing up to challenge Starlink. Also known as "Qianfan" or "Thousand Sails Constellation," it’s a low-Earth orbit (LEO) broadband service with the same goal: global high-speed internet.
And it’s scaling up fast. SpaceSail launched its first 18 satellites in August 2024. By early 2025, it had 72. The company plans to hit 648 by year’s end, then double that to 1,296. By 2030, it wants 15,000 satellites in orbit.
That’s an ambitious leap, but Starlink still has the upper hand—for now. With around 7,000 satellites already serving five million customers in 100+ countries, SpaceX is expanding rapidly, launching dozens more each week with plans to reach a staggering 34,400 satellites. It has even launched direct-to-cell service in specific regions.
Emmanuel Oyedeji
But this race isn’t just about numbers. It’s about politics, infrastructure, and global influence. Starlink’s ties to the US military have made it unwelcome in several countries, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Even in India and Pakistan, regulatory roadblocks have stalled its rollout.
Africa, a prime market for satellite internet, has also been a challenge. Starlink is live in only 14 countries despite plans for many more. China sees the gap—and an opportunity.
But SpaceSail isn’t just about commercial broadband. It’s a strategic move. Beijing understands the geopolitical power of satellite networks—something Starlink proved when it provided Ukraine with critical battlefield communications. A Chinese alternative would give Beijing more control over its own space-based infrastructure while serving as a diplomatic tool to strengthen ties with developing nations.
The global satellite internet market is still young, but competition is heating up. Amazon’s Project Kuiper, the UK’s OneWeb, and Europe’s IRIS² are also all building LEO constellations, though none have matched Starlink’s scale. If SpaceSail delivers, it could become the first serious non-Western challenger.
The real test, however, will be securing international markets. Starlink may have the head start, but this race is far from over.
Emmanuel Oyedeji
