Chipset maker MediaTek has announced that it will be demonstrating its innovative 3GPP Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) technology at the upcoming MWC 2023 tech show in Barcelona, Spain. Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) technology brings bi-directional satellite communications to smartphones. MediaTek’s first satellite-connected smartphones are also being launched, and more devices will be announced in the coming months. Additionally, MediaTek will also preview its next-generation 5G New Radio NTN (NR-NTN) technology for the next wave of satellite-enabled devices.
With satellite-enabled smartphones, consumers can stay connected while hiking, driving in remote areas, on a boat, or in other situations where traditionally there has been no connectivity; This not only gives users peace of mind, but also allows them to call for help in emergency situations.
What the company said
“Two-way satellite communication on smartphones and other devices will usher in a new era of connectivity and open up new opportunities in many different industries. Our standalone MT6825 chipsets, based on the 3GPP NTN open standard, can be integrated into any flagship smartphone to provide a seamless satellite connection experience,” said JC Hsu, Corporate VP and General Manager of MediaTek’s Wireless Communications Business Unit.
MediaTek’s satellite communications portfolio will target both IoT NTN and NR-NTN technology based on the 3GPP 5G Release 17 (R17) specification. IoT-NTN is ideal for messaging as it is designed for low data rate connections, while NR-NTN enables higher data rates that can support video calls and other applications. Since satellite networks can currently only support IoT-NTN on a large scale, the first wave of satellite-enabled smartphones and other devices with MediaTek technology will be designed for two-way satellite messaging services.
To make it easier for brands to integrate two-way satellite communications into smartphones and other devices, MediaTek’s IoT NTN solutions are standalone chipsets that can be added to any 4G or 5G device. The chipsets use the 3GPP R17 NTN open standard, unlike competing solutions that are based on proprietary solutions. For OEMs, the benefit of the standard is that once a device is certified for 3GPP R17 IoT-NTN, it can be used on any IoT-NTN compliant network. In addition, mobile network operators can work with service providers to offer roaming services or build their own satellite networks that support the standard.
