China Telecom turns on satellite links for 47 phones

China Telecom subscribers in China can now use direct satellite connectivity on 47 smartphone models from Huawei, Honor, and Xiaomi, according to iXBT. The service has been launched by the Beijing Municipal Emergency Management Bureau together with the Beijing branch of China Telecom as part of an emergency communications guarantee mechanism.

The system runs on China’s Tiantong-1 mobile satellite communications network. It does not require 4G or 5G ground base stations, and is designed to provide two-way voice calls and SMS messaging in disaster-hit areas, mountainous regions, and places with weak cellular coverage.

Users do not need to change their SIM card or phone number, and they do not need a dedicated satellite phone. The only requirement is a smartphone that supports satellite communications.

At launch, China Telecom says support covers 47 models from the three brands. Users still need to activate the relevant service. From July 7 to September 30, 2026, the price of satellite SMS has been cut from 5 yuan to 1 yuan per message.

iXBT compares the rollout to Elon Musk’s Starlink Mobile, also known as Direct to Cell, which lets ordinary smartphones connect directly to satellites in orbit. That system uses 4G LTE standards and works without external antennas or extra hardware, providing basic connectivity where traditional cellular towers are unavailable.

Recommended reading

iPhone 18 production is now underway