BEIJING — The short message communication services provided by China's BeiDou-3 Navigation Satellite System (BDS-3) have progressed from industrial application to public application, according to a conference held in Beijing on July 30. A series of achievements related to the BDS-3 short message communication services were revealed at the conference, including new mobile phone functions and satellite-Earth technology solutions. The short message communication services are unique to the BDS, distinguished from other global navigation satellite systems. The services cover China and its neighboring countries and regions, with low costs, wide coverage and high reliability. The short message services can effectively...