Bandung, IndonesiaSentinel.com — China BeiDou navigation satellite system (BDS) has rapidly advanced, standing on par with the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS). BeiDou, named after the seven bright stars used for navigation before the advent of satellites, is one of four major global satellite navigation systems, alongside GPS, the European Union’s Galileo, and Russia’s GLONASS.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), as BeiDou’s domestic reach expands and begins to rival that of GPS, Beijing’s ambitions are growing. China aims to attract a significant number of international users to BeiDou, challenging the decades-long dominance of the U.S.-run GPS.
China’s approach includes promoting BeiDou to international organizations, enhancing its signal strength overseas, and offering extensive incentives such as subsidies and investments to encourage its adoption, particularly among developing nations. While obstacles remain, analysts point out that Beijing’s multi-billion dollar investment in BeiDou serves long-term geopolitical goals. By offering the service for free, China is positioning itself to expand its influence.
Michael Shin, a professor of geospatial technology at UCLA, notes that Beijing could incentivize adoption in sectors such as global maritime and aviation safety, especially in developing nations that are less aligned with Western powers. This would advance China’s broader strategic interests.
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One of BeiDou’s key advantages over GPS and other systems lies in its global coverage, enhanced accuracy, and additional features tailored for specific applications. For instance, BeiDou offers highly accurate services across the Asia-Pacific region and can further boost precision in that area.
BeiDou’s Global Edge and Adoption
BeiDou’s edge over other systems includes its dual-frequency signal, which allows for greater accuracy, particularly in dense urban environments where signal interference is common. It also supports short message communication, enabling users to send texts via satellite when traditional networks fail
Unlike GPS, BeiDou users can send text messages directly through its satellite network, a critical advantage in areas with poor or no cellular network coverage. This feature has proven particularly useful in disaster response situations, remote areas, and maritime navigation, where communication options are often limited.
In terms of international usage, BeiDou has gained significant traction in countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, where China’s Belt and Road Initiative has paved the way for its adoption. As of 2023, more than 100 countries, including Pakistan, Thailand, and several African nations, have integrated BeiDou into various sectors, from agriculture to telecommunications. China’s goal of challenging GPS dominance is steadily becoming a reality, especially as developing nations find BeiDou to be a reliable and cost-effective alternative.
(Raidi/Aagung)
