ITRI, MediaTek, and Chunghwa Unveil Satellite-Ready Base Station
Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), in partnership with MediaTek and Chunghwa Telecom, has debuted a major advance in Beyond 5G (B5G) infrastructure - a Non-Terrestrial Network base station system capable of enabling direct-to-cell satellite connectivity via software upgrade.
Successfully tested across multiple satellite orbits, the B5G base station system sets a new benchmark in seamless satellite-to-ground communications, supporting high-speed links across land, sea, and air without requiring new hardware. This innovation could be transformative for remote and offshore connectivity, attracting strong interest at MWC Barcelona 2025 earlier this year.
ITRI likens the role of NTN in smart systems to a human nervous system, acting as a real-time digital conduit across AI-powered decision-making, logistics, and energy systems. The goal: fully integrated, intelligent infrastructure to power the next generation of smart cities, smart manufacturing, and connected mobility.
This development underscores Taiwan’s growing leadership in B5G and NTN standards, offering a compelling model for software-defined, globally scalable satellite communications infrastructure.