China's BeiDou Navigation System: being used over 1 trillion times per day

China's BeiDou satellite navigation system, a homegrown alternative to GPS, generated 575.8 billion yuan ($79.9 billion USD) in 2024, growing 7.39%. With compatibility across 288 million smartphones and tracking over a trillion locations daily, BeiDou is central to China’s strategy for technological self-reliance. It supports wearables, drones, and robots, while expanding global coverage, especially in Southeast Asia. BeiDou plans to launch next-gen satellites by 2035, offering centimeter-level accuracy, driving innovation in navigation and bolstering China’s technological and economic growth.

China's BeiDou satellite navigation system, the nation’s homegrown alternative to GPS, solidified its dominance in the domestic market last year while making impressive strides toward global competitiveness. According to data released by the GNSS and LBS Association of China, the system generated an economic output of 575.8 billion yuan (approximately $79.9 billion USD) in 2024, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 7.39%.

Named after the seven prominent stars in the northern sky that served as ancient navigational tools, BeiDou has become a cornerstone of China’s push for technological self-reliance. The system now tracks over a trillion locations daily and is compatible with 288 million smartphones, primarily from domestic manufacturers like Huawei and Xiaomi. Moreover, China’s top navigation apps, Baidu Maps and Amap, utilize BeiDou to guide users over 4 billion kilometers every day.

A Strategic Shift Toward Independence

The rise of BeiDou is intertwined with Beijing’s broader strategy to reduce reliance on Western technologies, particularly amid escalating geopolitical tensions. Concerns over potential disruption to U.S.-controlled technologies, such as GPS, have prompted China to invest heavily in developing its own systems.

“GPS is either unsupported or deliberately avoided on some domestic devices in China, especially where sensitive navigation is required, such as for state-owned enterprises, government agencies, or military units,” explained an academic from Zhejiang Sci-Tech University. Restrictions on foreign companies collecting high-precision mapping data in China further bolster BeiDou's adoption.

Although many devices, including Apple’s iPhones, support both GPS and BeiDou, they automatically switch to the strongest available signal, making the Chinese system a default choice in many cases.

Expanding Beyond Smartphones

In a bid to capture a larger share of the consumer market, BeiDou is broadening its compatibility beyond traditional navigation devices. The system now supports wearables, drones, electric bicycles, and even robots, according to reports from Xinhua, China’s state-run news agency.

Additionally, BeiDou is investing in technological upgrades to improve its performance. Efforts include reducing latency and expanding coverage in China, further solidifying its position as a viable alternative to GPS.

Global Expansion and Future Plans

While BeiDou’s primary focus remains its domestic market, its influence is steadily expanding worldwide. The system has enhanced its precision across Southeast Asia and other regions involved in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, making it an increasingly attractive option internationally.

Looking ahead, the China Satellite Navigation Office, which operates BeiDou, plans to deploy a new generation of satellites by 2035. These advanced satellites aim to deliver real-time positioning accurate to within a centimeter, enabling groundbreaking applications in deep-sea exploration and high-altitude aviation.

Economic and Technological Impacts

BeiDou’s growth has spurred investments across a wide range of related industries, including satellite manufacturing, ground infrastructure, chips, algorithms, and data processing. This ecosystem not only strengthens China’s technological capabilities but also positions BeiDou as a pivotal driver of economic growth.

As the system continues to rival GPS in functionality and expand its global reach, BeiDou is poised to further cement its status as a leader in satellite navigation technology.

Source: Adapted from reporting by the SCMP