SpaceSail, a new Chinese satellite broadband provider, is emerging as a strong competitor to Elon Musk’s Starlink. It may even launch its services in South Africa before the U.S.-based company.
Developed by Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST) with support from the Chinese government, SpaceSail—officially called the “Qianfan” or “Thousand Sails Constellation”—aims to provide global internet coverage. The company launched its first 18 satellites in August 2024 and expanded to 72 by January 2025. By the end of 2025, it plans to have 648 satellites in orbit, with long-term ambitions to reach 15,000 by 2030.
In comparison, Starlink had around 7,000 satellites in orbit as of February 2025 and serves over five million users in more than 100 countries. However, SpaceSail’s rapid expansion and strategic focus on underserved regions could give it an advantage, especially in markets where Starlink faces regulatory and political challenges. There’s also information that it might be relatively cheap compared to Elon’s Starlink.
SpaceSail intends to launch broadband services in 2025, potentially capitalizing on areas where Starlink has struggled with approval. If successful, it could become a major global competitor in the satellite internet industry.
