A new Chinese-run satellite broadband service, SpaceSail, is set to challenge Elon Musk’s Starlink, with plans to launch in over 30 countries, including South Africa.
Also known as Qianfan, the “Thousand Sails Constellation,” or G60 Starlink, SpaceSail is a low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite network developed by Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST). The project is backed by the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Since its first satellite launch on August 6, 2024, SpaceSail has rapidly expanded, with 72 satellites in orbit as of January 2025. The company aims to deploy 648 satellites by the end of 2025 and 1,296 during its initial phase. By 2030, SpaceSail plans to operate a vast network of 15,000 satellites—a move that would place it in direct competition with Starlink’s global ambitions.
In contrast, Starlink currently has about 7,000 satellites supporting over five million users in more than 100 countries. The US-based service plans to grow its constellation to 34,400 satellites in the future.
Despite Starlink’s rapid expansion, it has faced regulatory hurdles and political resistance in multiple countries. Starlink remains unavailable in China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and Cuba, among others—nations that are considered adversaries of the United States.
Furthermore, telecom licensing challenges have delayed Starlink’s rollout in several African and Asian countries. A MyBroadband analysis found that in 2024, Starlink launched in only 18% of the African countries it had initially targeted, with delays in 24 other nations. South Africa’s strict foreign ownership laws have kept Starlink’s launch status “unknown” since 2022.
This regulatory landscape creates a strategic opening for SpaceSail, which could fill the gap in markets where Starlink struggles to gain approval. The Chinese-backed service is expected to commence commercial broadband services this year, potentially offering an alternative for governments wary of Starlink’s US military ties.
As the demand for affordable, high-speed global broadband grows, the satellite internet race is heating up. SpaceSail’s government-backed expansion and focus on untapped markets could reshape global connectivity, setting the stage for a new phase of competition in space-based internet services.
