China enhances its BeiDou satellite system to boost global adoption, challenging US GPS dominance, as outlined in its latest five-year plan.
China is upgrading its BeiDou satellite navigation system by replacing older satellites with newer models and re-aligning their orbital paths to boost global coverage, reports the China Economic Review.
The move follows Beijing's latest five-year plan, which pledged to accelerate international adoption of BeiDou, designed as a challenger to the US-run GPS. The system, whose name translates as 'North Star', is increasingly used worldwide by governments and companies.
Pakistan has adopted BeiDou within its military and for commercial applications such as transport and logistics tracking. Other countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Cambodia, Russia, and Argentina, are also deploying the technology in various contexts.
Most smartphones support BeiDou, though users are often unaware of which system they are using. Performance comparisons suggest BeiDou offers stronger coverage in Asia but less consistency globally.
GPS has become synonymous with navigation technology, reflecting American dominance in critical aspects of modern life. Beijing is seeking to challenge that dominance by offering alternatives, though success will depend on the market's assessment of BeiDou's capabilities.
China is upgrading its alternative to the US-run GPS as Beijing seeks to expand the network's industrial footprint and international reach.
The upgrade will replace older satellites with third-generation models and adjust orbital paths to improve global coverage, according to the China Satellite Navigation Office. The constellation will consolidate to 37 satellites from the current 50, with most operating in medium Earth orbit, the same altitude range used by GPS and Galileo.
Beijing pledged to accelerate the large-scale application and international promotion of satellite internet and BeiDou in key industries and consumer markets. The commitment was outlined in China's latest five-year plan, which sets development goals for the remainder of the decade.
