Shanghai Plans New Communication and Navigation Network for Low-Altitude Economy

Shanghai Plans to Build Low-Altitude Smart Network to Boost Low-Altitude Economy

Shanghai has announced plans to establish a new communication, navigation, and surveillance network to support the development of the low-altitude economy. This decision was outlined in the "Guiding Opinions on Accelerating the Construction of Low-Altitude Smart Network to Aid the Development of Low-Altitude Economy in Shanghai", published by the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Communications on August 16, 2024. The network aims to achieve comprehensive and continuous coverage of low-altitude flight communication routes by 2026, providing low-altitude aircraft with high bandwidth, ultra-low latency, and massive connectivity for communication services.

Major telecommunications giants such as China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom, Huawei, and ZTE have been involved in technical verification, signaling the industry's emphasis on this new network. Furthermore, Shanghai Unicom has been enhancing its 5G-A Smart Marine Network since May 2024 to meet the network supply capabilities and user demands in maritime and border areas.

This initiative will not only enhance Shanghai's communication infrastructure but could also have a profound impact on the shipping industry and low-altitude economy, providing better service experiences and efficiency improvements for related businesses and users.

Industry experts highlight that this move reflects China's broader strategy to scale its low-altitude economy, which is expected to surpass 1 trillion yuan by 2026. The growth is fueled by investments in related infrastructure and the rapid commercial application of technologies like drones and eVTOL aircraft. Companies like EHang are at the forefront of this expansion, with plans to integrate low-altitude services into sectors such as tourism, logistics, and emergency services.

Overall, Shanghai's efforts signal the city's commitment to becoming a global leader in the low-altitude economy, supported by significant collaboration with telecommunications giants and other tech firms.

Key Takeaways

• Shanghai plans to build a new communication, navigation, and surveillance network to support the development of the low-altitude economy.
• The goal is to achieve comprehensive coverage of low-altitude flight communication routes by 2026.
• It encourages collaboration among basic telecom enterprises to provide high bandwidth, ultra-low latency communication networks.
• It caters to the control scheduling of low-altitude aircraft, cluster communication, and high-definition video image transmission needs.
• Major players such as China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom, Huawei, and ZTE are involved in technical verification.

Analysis

The construction of a new low-altitude communication network in Shanghai will drive the development of the low-altitude economy and the shipping industry. As major industry players like China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom, Huawei, and ZTE actively participate in technical verification, it signals an industry transformation. In the short term, the network construction will enhance communication infrastructure, while in the long term, it could reshape low-altitude flight service models, enhancing efficiency and user experience. This move may also influence related technological standards and policy formulation, indirectly impacting the global communication industry landscape.

Did You Know?

• Low-Altitude Smart Network:
  • A specialized network designed to support the development of the low-altitude economy, particularly focusing on providing continuous coverage for low-altitude flight routes. This network aims to offer ultra-wide bandwidth, ultra-low latency, and massive connectivity to facilitate communication, navigation, and surveillance for low-altitude aircraft.
• 5G-A:
  • An enhanced version of the 5G technology, building on the capabilities of standard 5G to provide more advanced features such as improved reliability, broader coverage, and higher capacity. In the context of the news, 5G-A is being utilized to enhance the smart marine network, ensuring robust network supply capabilities and meeting the demands of users in maritime and border areas.
• Low-Altitude Economy:
  • Refers to the economic activities and industries that are facilitated or enhanced by the use of low-altitude airspace, typically below 400 feet. This includes various applications such as drone deliveries, aerial surveillance, and urban air mobility. The development of a low-altitude smart network is crucial for the growth and efficiency of these sectors, providing the necessary infrastructure for communication and navigation.