MediaTek and Starlink Bring Satellite Communications to Mobile Devices

MediaTek at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 showcased the results of its collaboration with Starlink to bring satellite communication services to mobile devices. The collaboration enables more mobile service users worldwide to receive disaster alerts from the Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS), the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) platform, and the Earthquake and Tsunami Warning System (ETWS).

“The solution we are delivering is to address the gaps in mobile coverage that often occur during natural disasters and other emergencies, and as a crucial step towards the commercial deployment of standardised NR-NTN (New Radio - Non-Terrestrial Network) technology,” said JC Hsu, Corporate Senior VP and General Manager of MediaTek’s Wireless Communication Business Unit, in a company press release received in Jakarta on Friday.

The Direct to Cell feature leverages satellite S-Band connectivity to ensure users can use their mobile devices to receive timely emergency information anywhere in the world.

The MediaTek-Starlink collaboration is applied to WEA services in the United States, Canada, and Japan, and more than 4.4 million people have connected to Starlink Mobile during emergencies.

“We combine our reliability in satellite technology with Starlink’s satellite network to ensure more people have access to emergency alerts for lifesaving in critical situations,” JC Hsu said.