Five departments deploy low-altitude infrastructure; network and data security become a key link; multiple cybersecurity companies have already made proactive arrangements.

The release of policies will strongly drive the rapid growth of a large number of upstream and downstream industry chain segments, forming a complete industrial ecosystem covering core components, network infrastructure, equipment manufacturing, system integration, and operational services, said Zhu Keli, Founding Director of the National Research Institute of New Economy and Director of the Bay Area Low-Altitude Economy Research Institute.

Today, the low-altitude economy received a favorable policy boost as the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and four other departments’ offices (Secretariat, General Office, General Department) issued the “Implementation Opinions on Strengthening Information and Communication Industry Capacity Building to Support Low-Altitude Infrastructure Development” (referred to as “Opinions”).

The “Opinions” require continuous enhancement of the technological foundation, industrial supply capacity, network support, and security assurance capabilities of the information and communication industry, orderly promotion of low-altitude scenario communication network construction, enrichment and expansion of sensing technology methods, assistance in improving navigation and positioning accuracy, support for building low-altitude intelligent network systems, and providing a solid foundation for the development of the low-altitude economy.

Zhu Keli pointed out that the “Opinions” capture the core contradiction of high-quality development of the low-altitude economy: strengthening the information and communication foundation, empowering through technological integration, and ensuring safety and controllability to provide full-cycle support for “stable flight, manageable control, and effective use” of low-altitude aircraft.

“Opinions” Outline the Digital Infrastructure Blueprint for the Low-Altitude Economy

The “Opinions” propose that by 2027, the coverage rate of ground mobile communication networks on national low-altitude public routes will not be less than 90%, diversified sensing solutions will be further improved and matured, low-altitude navigation service levels will continue to rise, at least 10 information infrastructure standards will be developed, and a number of typical low-altitude application scenarios will be formed in fields such as urban governance, logistics, and cultural tourism.

Centered on this overall goal, the “Opinions” deploy ten key tasks, systematically constructing an information infrastructure framework to support the development of the low-altitude economy.

First, the core is network coverage and integrated sensing.

The “Opinions” require exploring ways to further improve network coverage and service guarantee capabilities through dedicated low-altitude networks, strengthening interconnection with ground networks. By comprehensively applying satellite communication, ground mobile communication, and other methods, provide network coverage for low-altitude airspace above 300 meters and remote areas.

Zhu Keli believes this builds an “integrated air-ground, integrated guidance, monitoring, and sensing low-altitude digital foundation,” which is a prerequisite for the large-scale, intelligent operation of low-altitude aircraft.

Second, strengthen navigation and intelligent network support.

The “Opinions” propose fully utilizing the BeiDou ground enhancement system and 5G networks to broadcast enhanced information, further improving the positioning speed and accuracy of low-altitude aircraft. Leverage new-generation information technologies such as the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and big data to provide solutions for low-altitude intelligent network system construction. Combine the needs of low-altitude economic development to improve the computing infrastructure supply system, promote interconnection of public computing resources, and provide flexible and efficient computing support for low-altitude management services.

Notably, the “Opinions” mention enhancing industry supply capacity.

It calls for strengthening the integration and innovation of low-altitude equipment and information communication devices, promoting the adaptation and verification of 5G/RedCap modules with low-altitude aircraft. Explore the development of integrated modules for low-altitude communication, navigation, and surveillance functions to accelerate technological and industrial maturity.

Zhu Keli interprets this as a key measure to connect the “last mile” of the industrial chain. “5G and lightweight 5G technologies can precisely match the communication transmission, real-time monitoring, and accurate positioning needs of drones and low-altitude aircraft, promoting aircraft from standalone flight to networked collaboration. This deployment reuses existing ground communication facilities, avoids redundant construction, and deepens the coupling between the communication industry and low-altitude equipment manufacturing—an efficient, integrated, and collaborative innovation path.”

He also stated that the most prominent highlight of the “Opinions” is the adherence to an integrated, multi-modal construction approach, planning communication, navigation, surveillance, intelligent networking, and frequency supply as a whole, promoting technological, infrastructural, and industry integration, and capturing the core prerequisites for safe, orderly, and large-scale operation of the low-altitude economy.

Low-Altitude Network and Data Security Mentioned; Multiple Cybersecurity Firms Proactively Prepare

The reporter from Caixin noted that while building the low-altitude digital infrastructure, the “Opinions” also made important deployments regarding low-altitude network and data security.

Article nine, “Strengthen Network and Data Security Assurance,” is explicitly presented as a separate chapter, proposing to explore the construction of information infrastructure network and data security assurance systems, implement security classification protection, critical information infrastructure security measures, deepen cybersecurity management for communication networks, strengthen data classification and grading protection, develop security standards, and build capabilities for monitoring, early warning, detection, assessment, and emergency response, urging relevant enterprises to fulfill their security responsibilities.

In fact, this directly addresses the core pain points and potential risks of large-scale low-altitude economy development.

Quan Xiaowen, Chairman of Shengbang Security, previously told Caixin that the core carrier of the low-altitude economy is low-altitude aircraft, but uncontrolled aircraft are not economic carriers—they are aerial hazards. The current low-altitude economy faces systemic risks including communication and data security. The greatest safety risk for aircraft lies in the communication links.

Quan Xiaowen admitted that currently, there is little layout in the low-altitude industry regarding data and communication security, and the issuance of the “Opinions” provides a clear policy and institutional framework from the national level to fill this gap.

Several leading domestic cybersecurity companies have already begun proactive planning for low-altitude network security.

According to Tianyancha, Shengbang Security recently received a new invention patent authorization for “Flight Safety Management Method and Electronic Device,” patent number CN202510905593.4, with an authorization date of February 6, 2026.

A relevant company representative recently told media that by 2026, Shengbang Security will focus on three main areas: deepening the integrated strategy of air, space, land, and sea, increasing investment in satellite internet security resources, promoting large-scale deployment of low-altitude and vessel security solutions, and integrating cyber mapping capabilities to create a new benchmark for global situational awareness.

In addition to Shengbang Security, other listed companies are also actively acting.

Tianrongxin recently stated on an interactive platform that the company is actively deploying in the low-altitude economy, providing cybersecurity, data security, and intelligent cloud products and solutions covering infrastructure, base stations, and aircraft scenarios involved in the low-altitude economy.

According to the “China Low-Altitude Security Technology Market Insights and Brand Recommendations 2025” report by IDC, Qi An Xin was selected as a recommended vendor for its integrated “endpoint-network-cloud-machine” defense system and its deep research and practice in low-altitude security.

Earlier, Anheng Information announced that China United Network Communications Group Co., Ltd. and Anheng Information signed a strategic cooperation agreement, aiming to collaborate deeply in key areas such as AI-driven cybersecurity, data security, data infrastructure, and low-altitude economy security.