The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recently issued a satellite mobile communication service operation license to China Unicom. In accordance with the law, China Unicom can carry out services such as direct satellite connection for mobile phones, further advance the application of such services in scenarios including emergency communications, maritime communications, and communications in remote areas, and enrich the supply of communication services and products.
Subsequently, China Unicom Business Halls launched the "China Unicom Satellite" service. According to the service description, when the ground communication network coverage is unstable or unavailable, the China Unicom Satellite service can provide emergency communication services. Currently, users in Tianjin, Shanxi, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hubei, Guizhou, Guangdong, and Hainan can subscribe to the China Unicom Satellite service. Users must use terminals that support the China Unicom Satellite function to access the service.
Once users activate the China Unicom Satellite function package, they can connect to the satellite to make and receive calls, as well as send and receive text messages. The service fee is charged at 10 yuan per month, which includes 2 minutes of free domestic incoming and outgoing calls. Currently, the service is only available for use within the Chinese mainland (excluding Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan regions) and is not yet supported for overseas use.