China Telecom says the country’s first Tiantong satellite service station has officially started operating in Ya’an, a major gateway city on the Sichuan-Tibet route known for self-drive trips and outdoor travel.
The station was jointly built by China Telecom Sichuan and China Telecom Satellite. Its main purpose is to address long-standing satellite communication gaps along the 318 Sichuan-Tibet corridor, where ground network coverage can still be unreliable across large stretches of the route.
According to the company, the new site offers a one-stop setup for satellite-related needs, including service activation, device sales and rentals, technical support, and emergency communication assistance. The idea is to move connectivity support closer to the actual starting point for Tibet-bound travel instead of leaving users to sort things out after they lose signal.
China Telecom says more than 70% of parts of the 318 route still face communication blind spots. The Ya’an station is built around the Tiantong-1 satellite system and is meant to support a wider range of use cases, from routine travel planning to outdoor safety and emergency response.
One of the more practical features highlighted in the announcement is direct-to-satellite phone access. In areas without terrestrial coverage, users can still make calls, send and receive text messages, and use positioning services without changing their existing phone number or SIM card, as long as the device supports the service.
The station also carries additional equipment beyond direct satellite phones, including Tiantong communication terminals, handheld satellite devices, and emergency communication gear. China Telecom says the service point has already assisted thousands of travelers during the 2026 May Day holiday period through consultations, device rental or sales, and usage guidance.
