Abstract: Research status of existing wireless through-the-earth communication was comprehensively analyzed, performances of ground electrode, elastic wave and magnetic induction communication were compared, and result was got that performance of the magnetic induction communication is better than the other two kinds of communication methods. The magnetic induction communication model was emphasized, and on this basis, key technical problems and feasible solutions of the magnetic communication were put forward. Besides, design schemes of existing magnetic communication transmitter and receiver were elaborated. The future research directions of through-the-earth communication was put forward considering current studies and popular applications: large magnetic signal fading is a key factor which restricts further development of the magnetic induction communication; transmitter, receiver and transmission mechanisms of the magnetic induction communication need to be improved; through-the-earth communication system used in underground mine not only needs to control transmission power in safety range, consider compromise relationship between communication distance and transmission power, but also needs to consider how to suppress complex underground electromagnetic interference.