China aims for 90% of low-altitude air routes to have advanced telecoms in two years

China has announced an ambitious plan to enhance its low-altitude air infrastructure by ensuring that at least 90 percent of public air routes will be equipped with advanced telecommunications networks by the end of 2027. This initiative is aimed at propelling the development of the low-altitude economy in the country.

The guideline, released by five key government departments including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Cyberspace Administration of China, emphasizes leveraging existing 5G base stations and the BeiDou navigation satellite system to build a robust telecommunications framework for low-altitude operations.

To facilitate orderly growth in the low-altitude economy, the document outlines plans to improve multi-source integrated sensing solutions and enhance navigation services, with a goal of establishing at least ten information infrastructure standards by 2027.

The initiative also aims to foster the development of various low-altitude application scenarios, focusing on sectors such as urban governance, logistics, transportation, and cultural tourism, reflecting a strategic approach to economic diversification.

Du Jiadong, an expert at the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, highlighted the importance of fully utilizing existing high-quality 5G networks, suggesting that optimizations should be made to support essential communication and sensing services within low-altitude applications.

To further address potential challenges, Du pointed to the necessity of experimental validation and enhancing integrated sensing and communication capabilities within 5G networks, particularly related to air-ground collaborative networking.

The guideline advises maximizing the use of the BeiDou ground-based augmentation system and public service platform for navigation, indicating a strong push towards using these technologies in conjunction with mobile networks for better positioning services.

Moreover, the plan includes recommendations for strengthening oversight capabilities and instituting innovations such as a regulatory framework for drones, with advancements aimed at implementing a unified identification system for aerial vehicles.

Market analysts project that China's low-altitude economy could experience significant growth, reaching an estimated market size of 1.5 trillion yuan, approximately 216.7 billion USD, by 2025, with further expansion anticipated to exceed 3.5 trillion yuan by 2035.

Various regions across China, including Guangdong and Chongqing, are already preparing local economic plans to align with these advancements, indicating a comprehensive approach toward integrating technology with socio-economic development.