Could SpaceSail Be An Alternative for Starlink?
The Chinese competitor could be a viable competitor to Starlink especially in African markets
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Starlink might need to look over its shoulder because Chinese competition is starting to catch up.
Just like BYD is giving Tesla a run for its money with EVs, a new Satellite Internet company might be about to give Starlink some serious competition.
SpaceSail, also called “Qianfan,” the “Thousand Sails Constellation,” or “G60 Starlink”, is a low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite broadband service.
The company is run by Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST) with financial backing from the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Trying to Catch up to Starlink
SpaceSail launched on 6 August 2024. The company launched with just 18 satellites but now has about 72 satellites in orbit.
The company plans to have 648 satellites in orbit by 2025 and 1,296 in total.
For comparison, Starlink has about 7000 satellites currently in operation and is regularly launching new ones every couple of months.
Starlink has been rapidly expanding in the Africa region, where they are currently operating in about 14 countries including Ghana and Nigeria.
Starlink’s “Beef” with South Africa
Starlink has been in a bit of a tussle with South African authorities to launch operations.
Elon Musk recently attacked the country to prevent Starlink from launching, stating that because he’s not black.
South African authorities have denied his reasoning, stating that Starlink must comply with its local laws before it launches.
Will African Countries Move Closer to China?
With the US relation with the world souring due to the closure of USAID and threats of tariffs, China has an opportunity to take advantage of the turmoil.
SpaceSail has already registered in South Africa and with China’s involvement in BRICS, there could be closer relations, especially in the field of satellite broadband services.
SpaceSail has already signed a deal to start offering services to one of the founding members of BRICS — Brazil — in 2026.
Too Early to Count Out Starlink
Spacesail still has a lot of catching up to do, and Starlink is still moving at a face space. The company has already established ground stations in Kenya and Nigeria to boost capacity.
But Spacesail could be an alternative especially if the Chinese decide to go aggressive with their pricing and undercut Starlink.
Only time will tell.