Chinese LEO satellite operator Geespace said that it has successfully tested its ‘Geely Future Mobility Constellation’ network outside of China for the first time with Oman-based satellite services provider Azyan Telecom.
Geespace said it entered into a strategic partnership with Azyan earlier this month, under which they will collaborate with Omani regulators and mobile operators to conduct direct-to-mobile satellite communication tests. Geespace and Azyan plan to launch services in Oman and extend commercial satellite services to other Middle Eastern and North African countries by 2025.
According to Geespace, the Oman test achieved a connection success rate of 99.15% and network availability of over 99.97%. Geespace also said the satellite terminals used in the test have a 50dB anti-jamming capability, ensuring stable signal reception in harsh environments.
Geespace – a subsidiary of Chinese carmaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group – is planning to build a LEO constellation that will ultimately comprise 168 satellites. The company plans to have 72 satellites up and running by next year.
So far it has launched 21 LEO satellites in two orbital planes, the most recent batch reaching the second plane in February. Geespace plans to launch a third batch before the end of the year.
The Geely constellation is designed primarily to serve connected and self-driving cars. However, Geespace said the satellites for the fourth orbital plane will offer direct-to-mobile communication capabilities, enabling it to compete against companies like SpaceX’s Starlink, Lynk Global and AST Spacemobile.