Islamabad, Feb 25: Elon Musk’s Starlink is facing mounting competition as China-backed SpaceSail accelerates its satellite broadband expansion, aiming to launch 15,000 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites by 2030. The Shanghai municipal government-controlled company plans to deploy 648 satellites this year, marking China’s first significant push into the global satellite internet market.
Expanding its international footprint, SpaceSail has already secured agreements in Brazil and Kazakhstan, signaling China’s growing influence in space-based digital connectivity. The company is part of a broader Chinese initiative, with Beijing planning to launch a total of 43,000 LEO satellites in the coming years to rival Starlink’s dominance. In 2024 alone, China launched a record 263 LEO satellites, according to astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell, reinforcing its commitment to competing in the sector.
While Starlink remains the industry leader with over 7,000 satellites in orbit and plans to expand its constellation to 42,000 by the decade’s end, China’s aggressive approach suggests an increasingly competitive landscape. The rapid expansion of SpaceSail has also raised geopolitical concerns, with Western analysts warning of Beijing’s influence over global internet access. The American Foreign Policy Council has urged the U.S. to strengthen partnerships with Global South nations to counter China’s growing digital footprint.
The satellite internet race is not limited to China and Starlink, as other private companies, including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ Kuiper satellite network and Canada’s Telesat, are also competing for market share. Brazil, a key player in digital expansion, is currently in talks with both Kuiper and Telesat, further intensifying the competition in the sector.
As nations and corporations continue investing in space-based broadband, the coming years will determine whether Starlink can maintain its dominance or if China’s SpaceSail and other emerging players will reshape the satellite internet landscape.
