3 6 Ke·2026-01-14 07:25Core Viewpoint - China's recent application to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for over 200,000 satellite frequency resources marks a record-breaking action in both the number of applications and the total scale of satellites, indicating a strategic move to secure orbital and frequency resources for future development [1][3][10]. Group 1: Record-Breaking Application - The application includes over 190,000 satellites from a newly registered entity called the "Radio Spectrum Development and Technology Innovation Research Institute," which significantly exceeds previous applications and is several times larger than the current largest constellation, SpaceX's Starlink with 72,000 satellites [1][4]. - In 2025, China submitted 73 frequency coordination applications to the ITU, with a peak of 34 applications in December alone, showcasing unprecedented activity in satellite frequency coordination [4][10]. Group 2: Strategic Intent - The large-scale application is viewed as a "resource positioning" action, aimed at ensuring China has a sufficient "resource pool" of orbital and frequency resources for the next decade or longer [3][10]. - The initiative reflects China's strategic determination to secure more orbital positions and frequencies, which are critical for the development of commercial space and the goal of integrated "space-ground" communication systems, particularly for 6G [3][6][13]. Group 3: Role of Key Institutions - The Radio Spectrum Innovation Institute, established by several key organizations, is positioned as a core research and technical support entity for satellite communication standards and resource management, indicating a strong national strategic intent [6][11]. - The collaboration between the Radio Spectrum Innovation Institute and China SatNet highlights a dual approach where one focuses on demand integration and the other on technological innovation and resource reserve [6][10]. Group 4: Involvement of Telecom Operators - Major telecom operators, including China Telecom and China Mobile, are also involved in the satellite application process, marking a significant step in their satellite internet business and indicating a shift towards integrated communication services [11][12]. - China Telecom aims to complement its existing geostationary satellite capabilities with low Earth orbit satellites to enhance its service offerings, while China Mobile seeks to establish its own satellite constellation to maintain competitive advantages in future communication technologies [11][12][13].