On September 4, 2026, China published National Radio Office Notice Guo Wu Ban [2026] No. 7, issued on August 21, establishing a 2026-2027 trial mechanism for third-party assessment in domestic satellite-network coordination. The mechanism is available when repeated bilateral discussions cannot resolve unreasonable coordination requests, unclear criteria, disputed technical analysis or inconclusive frequency compatibility.

An institution may be randomly selected by the Office from a suitable recommended list, or jointly selected by the parties and reported to the Office. The parties must commit to recognising the assessment result and sign an engagement contract.

Assessments use satellite-network information, radio-system parameters and existing compatibility analyses; they must follow Chinese requirements and refer to International Telecommunication Union instruments. Work generally takes no more than one month, or two months for complex compatibility studies.

A report may accompany a space-service licence application, but its conclusions count as coordination evidence only if accepted by the Office. Independence, accurate inputs and confidentiality safeguards apply.

The notice changes a coordination and licensing-evidence route; it does not allocate a new band or establish equipment type approval.

Impact

Impact assessment: Medium.

Key reasons: operators gain an alternative route for stalled coordination, subject to technical evidence and regulatory acceptance. On September 4, 2026, China published National Radio Office Notice Guo Wu Ban [2026] No. 7, issued on August 21, establishing a 2026-2027 trial mechanism for third-party assessment in domestic satellite-network coordination.

Who is affected?

Satellite operators, radio engineers, licensing teams and assessment bodies.

Conclusion:

evaluate eligible disputes, prepare consistent compatibility inputs and contract for an independent assessment; do not assume the report automatically grants a licence.