A new Chinese satellite broadband service, SpaceSail – also known as “Qianfan,” the “Thousand Sails Constellation,” or “G60 Starlink” has emerged as a potential rival to SpaceX’s Starlink. Operated by Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST) and supported by the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, SpaceSail is planning to launch in South Africa before its US-based counterpart. The company aims to provide global internet coverage through its expanding low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite network.
SpaceSail launched its first 18 satellites on August 6, 2024, and increased its fleet to 72 satellites by January 2025. The company plans to deploy 648 satellites by the end of 2025, scaling up to 1,296 in its initial phase and ultimately expanding to 15,000 satellites by 2030. In comparison, Starlink currently operates around 7,000 satellites and serves over five million customers worldwide. While SpaceSail is still in the early stages, its aggressive expansion plans are designed to rival Starlink’s massive satellite constellation, which is set to eventually reach 34,400 satellites.
SpaceSail is targeting markets where Starlink has faced barriers, particularly in regions resistant to US-based companies due to geopolitical concerns. Unlike Starlink, which has been linked to various US military programs, SpaceSail could bypass such issues, potentially providing broadband in countries where Starlink is restricted, such as China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea. Starlink has faced regulatory hurdles in several countries, including South Africa, where its direct-to-customer approach clashes with local laws requiring telecom companies to have a certain level of ownership by historically disadvantaged groups (HDGs). SpaceSail, however, could benefit from its state-backed status, which may ease entry into markets like South Africa, where political and economic ties with China are strengthening, as well as access to vast resources, both in terms of financial backing and technological expertise
SpaceSail also has the added advantage of being Chinese, with significant advantages of scale and manufacturing prowess. China’s robust manufacturing infrastructure for technology and the ability to produce satellite technology at a competitive cost position SpaceSail to rapidly scale its operations, outpacing competitors in terms of speed and cost efficiency.
The growing political divide between South Africa and the US may play in SpaceSail’s favor, as the company has already registered trademarks in South Africa. With South Africa’s alignment with the BRICS nations, SpaceSail’s entry could be facilitated, leveraging the success of other Chinese firms like Huawei and ZTE. Additionally, the company has signed a deal to launch services in Brazil by 2026 and is considering expansion into Kazakhstan. As Starlink’s future in South Africa remains uncertain, SpaceSail is poised to capitalize on the opportunity to become the country’s leading satellite broadband provider.
