Spaceflight

Seven government departments issued a notice April 30 entitled “Regulations on the Management of Terminal Equipment Directly Connected to Satellite Services,” establishing the legal and technical groundwork for satellite connectivity aligned with national objectives.

The notice supports the development of direct-to-satellite communications, including infrastructure deployment, ecosystem cultivation, and broader integration. According to a Xinhua report, the regulations aim to promote the healthy development of satellite-connected terminal services while safeguarding national security and public interests.

The move takes place amid growing international competition and follows earlier developments in the U.S., with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) last March approving the world’s first direct-to-smartphone regulatory framework.

While often described as direct-to-device (D2D) satellite services in Western industry, China’s new rules appear to refer more broadly to terminal equipment directly connected to satellites. This includes not only smartphones but also Internet of Things (IoT) modules, vehicle terminals and other connected devices.

The notice was jointly issued by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), Ministry of Public Security, and relevant administrations for cybersecurity, radio, film and television, customs, and market regulations.