The new 5G satellite NB-IoT technology established a bi-directional link from MediaTek’s satellite-enabled standard NB-IoT device to a GEO satellite, breaking new ground for global IoT coverage. MediaTek said the test builds the foundation for hybrid satellite and cellular networks to enable new ubiquitous 5G IoT services at a global scale.
“MediaTek’s collaboration with Inmarsat will accelerate efforts to converge cellular and satellite networks in the 5G era,” said Ho-Chi Hwang, general manager of Communication System Design at MediaTek.
MediaTek and Inmarsat ran the test with a base station located at the Fucino Space Center in Italy and developed by Taiwan’s Institute for Information Industry (III). The test device, built with MediaTek’s satellite-enabled NB-IoT chipset, was located in Northern Italy. The prototype system established a communication channel and data transfer with the GEO satellite Alphasat.
“Testing MediaTek’s standard NB-IoT chip over Inmarsat’s GEO satellite network has proven technology from mobile networks works effectively over GEO satellites with little modification and will provide a cost effective path to hybrid global IoT coverage,” said Jonathan Beavon, senior director of Inmarsat Product Group.