(Telecompaper) China said it will be launching the final two satellites for its Beidou satellite-based positioning system by June, the Nikkei reported, citing a Beidou spokesperson. The move will complete the 35-satellite network and enable China to decouple itself from the US-owned Global Positioning System and its 30 satellites. The move is in line with China's goal to rely less on the US for both its telecommunications and its military and to build an ecosystem independent of the GPS that would be open to Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe. Over 70 percent of Chinese smartphones are already compatible with Beidou, which will also play a role in 5G.