Chinese LEO satellite operator Shanghai SpaceSail Technologies has reportedly tested its satellite broadband network in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan.

According to the Astana Times, citing a statement issued by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry (MDAI) on Tuesday, the test was conducted by Shanghai SpaceSail specialists who travelled to Almaty to demonstrate the technology.

During the test, SpaceSail demonstrated download connections speeds of up to 200 Mbps, the report said.

The test followed a visit by a Kazakh delegation to SpaceSail’s head office to “explore technological solutions and production processes”, the report said.

Kazakhstan sees a lot of promise in LEO satellite services as a way to deliver stable, high-speed internet services in remote and hard-to-reach areas. SpaceX’s Starlink has been offering limited services in Kazakhstan exclusively for schools in rural areas since late 2023 via a pilot trial. Earlier this year, Starlink received regulatory clearance from MDAI to launch full commercial services in the country later this year.

Shanghai SpaceSail currently has 72 LEO satellites in orbit out of a planned constellation of over 15,000 satellites by 2030. In the past nine months it has signed MoUs with Brazil’s state-owned operator Telebras and Malaysian satellite operator MEASAT to provide LEO satellite broadband services in those countries.

SpaceSail plans to begin operations in Kazakhstan sometime next year, the news report said.