Donald Trump's plan to make Tiktok American may fail, thanks to this 'Chinese video call'

Chinese scientists have reportedly achieved a global first by successfully conducting a direct 5G satellite-to-smartphone broadband video call. According to a report in South China Morning Post (SCMP), the world’s first direct 5G satellite-to-smartphone broadband video call by scientists in China. The milestone can reportedly challenge U.S. restrictions on apps like TikTok. The test, performed earlier this month using a technology demonstration satellite, highlights the potential for streaming video content directly to standard smartphones via satellite, bypassing traditional cell towers. However, experts caution that significant regulatory, technical, and practical hurdles remain.

China's rival to Elon Musk's SpaceX at hand
The demonstration, led by China Satellite Network Group ( China SatNet ), utilized the 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) standard, enabling a smartphone to connect to a satellite without specialized hardware. Liang Baojun, head of China SatNet, announced the achievement at the Xiongan BeiDou Ecosystem Cooperation Conference. “We validated key elements of the integrated space-ground network architecture,” Liang said, though he provided no further details. China SatNet oversees the Guowang megaconstellation, a planned 13,000-satellite network aimed at rivaling SpaceX’s Starlink.

This breakthrough could enable mobile coverage in remote areas, supporting applications in maritime, aviation, defense, emergency response, and autonomous systems. Unlike traditional networks reliant on ground-based infrastructure, satellite connectivity could deliver universal access, a growing global demand.

The development comes amid U.S. efforts to restrict Chinese-owned apps like TikTok. In April 2024, then-President Joe Biden signed a law requiring TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to divest the platform to a non-Chinese entity by January 19, 2025, or face a U.S. ban. President Donald Trump, since returning to office, has twice delayed the deadline, with the latest set for June 19, 2025.
A 5G analyst from the International Data Corporation (IDC), speaking anonymously due to the issue’s sensitivity, downplayed the immediate impact of satellite-based networks. “Satellite operators require licenses and face strict regulations, so bypassing oversight isn’t feasible,” the analyst said. “Bandwidth limitations also make streaming large amounts of video traffic impractical.” Geostationary satellites introduce latency issues, with delays starting at 400 milliseconds, while low Earth orbit (LEO) systems like Guowang require extensive satellite deployments to ensure adequate coverage.

Possible, but not that easy
Until now, satellite-to-smartphone communication has focused on basic functions like text messaging and voice calls. In 2020, U.S.-based Lynk Global sent the world’s first satellite-to-phone text message. Other key players in the sector include SpaceX, AST SpaceMobile, Samsung, MediaTek, and Thales Group.

In China, efforts to scale satellite communication are intensifying. Alongside China SatNet, the newly formed China Spatiotemporal Information Group (CSTI), established in May 2024, is driving integration of satellite internet, the BeiDou navigation system, and real-time data infrastructure. Comprising China SatNet, China Mobile, and defense contractor Norinco, CSTI aims to develop practical applications for logistics, energy, smart cities, disaster response, and national defense.

While China’s 5G satellite breakthrough showcases its advancing space capabilities, experts say widespread adoption remains years away, limited by technical and regulatory challenges. For now, the technology underscores the growing global race to redefine connectivity—and its implications for digital sovereignty.