MediaTek showcased its innovative 3GPP Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) technology, which brings two-way satellite communications to smartphones, at MWC 2023. The first smartphones with MediaTek satellite connectivity are also available, with more to follow in the coming months. Furthermore, MediaTek provided a preview of its next-generation 5G New Radio NTN (NR-NTN) technology for the next wave of satellite-enabled devices.
MediaTek is collaborating with Bullitt to bring the world's first commercially available 3GPP NTN devices, which will use the MT6825 chipset to connect to the Bullitt Satellite Connect platform. This includes the Motorola Defy 2 and CAT S75 smartphones, as well as the Motorola Defy Satellite Link, a small and light Bluetooth accessory that connects Android and iOS devices to the Bullitt Satellite Connect platform. Bullitt Satellite Connect will expand access to two-way satellite messaging, location sharing, and emergency SOS to more locations around the world.
“Two-way satellite communications on smartphones and other devices will usher us into a new era of connectivity and open up new possibilities across many different verticals,” said JC Hsu, Corporate Vice President and General Manager of MediaTek’s wireless communications business unit. “Our standalone MT6825 chipsets, which are based on the 3GPP NTN open standard, can be integrated into any flagship smartphone to deliver a seamless satellite connectivity experience.”