China
China moves forward to compete with Starlink and challenge Elon Musk's dominance
China is accelerating its efforts to compete with Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service. Recently, the country launched 18 communications satellites into low orbit, reinforcing its ambition to create its own global internet network. The move puts China in direct confrontation with SpaceX, which currently leads the sector with thousands of satellites in operation.
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The Chinese plan aims to guarantee control over communications in situations of war or disaster, when terrestrial infrastructure may be compromised. To this end, China requested the International Telecommunications Union for the frequency needed to launch 51,300 satellites, a number higher than that of Starlink, which plans to operate up to 42,000 satellites.
Despite progress, China still faces technological challenges, mainly the lack of reusable rockets, an area where SpaceX stands out with the Falcon system, which reduces costs and allows frequent launches.
In addition to connecting remote areas, China's advances in the satellite internet sector could have implications for information control. Experts point out that Beijing could export its digital governance model, allowing other countries to adopt censorship measures similar to those implemented in Chinese territory.
It is worth mentioning that experts also claim that the dispute over control of satellite internet has a clear geopolitical dimension. In the US, SpaceX receives broad government support, while China mobilizes state and private resources to strengthen its presence in the sector. The expansion of Chinese satellite constellations could create a global divide in digital infrastructure, with separate networks led by the two countries.