China rolls out BeiDou satellite messaging for emergency use

by Riko Seibo
Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Feb 10, 2026

China has introduced a new satellite short messaging service that uses the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System to maintain communication when ground-based mobile networks are unavailable. The service is aimed at providing a reliable link during emergencies and in remote areas where cellular coverage cannot be guaranteed.

China Space-Time Information Co., Ltd., the national operator of BeiDou services, launched the offering in partnership with major domestic telecommunications carriers. The company described the service as a key supplement to terrestrial mobile networks that can strengthen safety and communication assurance for a wide range of users.

The new capability targets situations such as hiking in remote mountain regions, working at sea far from shore infrastructure, and coordinating disaster relief and emergency response. In these scenarios, conventional mobile networks may be disrupted or completely out of reach, making satellite connectivity a critical backup.

According to China Space-Time Information, the initiative marks an important step in making satellite communication technology more accessible to the general public. By embedding BeiDou-based messaging into everyday usage, the service is intended to provide what the company calls tangible technological protection for users.

The service taps into the short-message communication function built into the BeiDou constellation. Users with compatible smartphones can send and receive text messages directly through BeiDou satellites when they are in areas without cellular network coverage, allowing them to stay connected in challenging environments.

China's three main telecom operators, China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom, have integrated the new service into their networks. Subscribers can activate the function on supported devices without changing their SIM cards or phone numbers, lowering the barrier to adopting satellite messaging.

At present, nearly 60 smartphone models from leading Chinese manufacturers already support the BeiDou short messaging feature. This installed base provides an immediate user pool for the service and lays the groundwork for broader integration into future handsets.

China Space-Time Information focuses on satellite navigation and communications as well as big data services, artificial intelligence development, and geospatial remote sensing. The companys role as national operator of BeiDou services positions it at the center of efforts to extend satellite-enabled applications into daily life.