Submitted plans outline hundreds of thousands of internet satellites aimed at challenging SpaceX Starlink, with proposals to the ITU seeking as many as 203,000 satellites across several projects.

Industry observers question practicality, given regulatory, technical, and logistical hurdles that could slow or derail timelines.

Analysts note China’s coordinated, nationwide push signals a state-led infrastructure effort, but turning ambitious concepts into functioning networks will require overcoming engineering, manufacturing, and launch challenges.

Today there are roughly 10,824 orbiting satellites in total, with SpaceX accounting for about 76% and China around 9%; the new proposals would dramatically increase demand for orbital slots and spectrum.

Approval for these vast swarms hinges on securing orbital slots and radio frequency bands, and pre-launch procedures could span two to seven years.

China is proposing large-scale satellite internet mega-constellations, detailing two major initiatives—the Guowang network and the Quianfan network—with participation from multiple state-backed and private companies and a target of tens of thousands of satellites.

SpaceX currently leads with FCC approval to launch 7,500 additional second-generation satellites by 2031 and is already pursuing debris mitigation as more satellites enter low Earth orbit.

Some proposals envision megaconstellations with up to about 96,714 satellites per project, with other submissions coming from government-backed groups and private firms.