China goes big on IoT with a constellation of 72 satellites - Tech Wire Asia

CHINA often goes all in when it comes to technology that it believes in. The country has invested significantly in autonomous vehicles, 5G, and artificial intelligence in recent times. The internet of things (IoT), however, didn't get all the attention it deserved -- but that's changing quickly. The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has just announced that it will be launching a constellation of 72 satellites to help the nation bolster its interests and ambitions in IoT over the next 3 years. According to Xinhua, China's national news agency, the program will be implemented by Beijing-based private satellite company "Commsat," which was funded by the Xi'an Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics under the CAS. The bureau revealed that a total of eight communication satellites of the program were sent into space last year for in-orbit tests.