GCT advances 5G chipsets for satellite and terrestrial networks

GCT Semiconductor is progressing several direct-to-device and hybrid satellite-cellular programmes as it works to expand its 5G chipset business beyond terrestrial networks.

The company said development and certification work continued during the second quarter of 2026 with partners including Globalstar and another major satellite communications provider. The work covers chipsets and user equipment designed to support satellite and terrestrial connectivity.

The latest update follows several NTN-related agreements announced earlier this year. In January, GCT licensed its 4G and 5G chipsets to an unnamed satellite communications provider for use in next-generation user equipment, including direct-to-satellite applications.

A month later, GCT announced a partnership with Skylo covering joint chip and module certification for devices designed to connect to satellite networks when terrestrial coverage is unavailable. The company then signed a reference-platform agreement in May to supply a 4G and 5G chipset-based design for user equipment capable of communicating across satellite and terrestrial networks.

Connecting terrestrial and satellite networks

GCT’s programmes focus on the device hardware needed to support conventional cellular connections alongside satellite links. Satellite connectivity can introduce radio conditions that differ from terrestrial networks, particularly when devices communicate with satellites in low Earth orbit.

Low Earth orbit satellites move at high speeds relative to devices on the ground, producing Doppler effects and timing variations that compatible hardware and networks need to account for.

MediaTek demonstrated these requirements in an NR-NTN smartphone test based on 3GPP Release 17. The company said its chipset accounted for Doppler effects and timing changes in a test environment that emulated satellites at around 600 kilometres above Earth travelling at close to 27,000 kilometres per hour.

The technical work is taking place alongside the development of cellular standards for non-terrestrial networks. 3GPP Release 17 introduced NR-based non-terrestrial network support alongside satellite connectivity for NB-IoT and eMTC devices.

Release 18 added further NTN enhancements within the 5G system, while Release 19 continues work on NR-NTN and IoT-NTN. The specifications cover NR-NTN for 5G New Radio satellite access and IoT-NTN for satellite connectivity using NB-IoT and eMTC technologies.

GCT shipped more than 5,100 5G chipsets during the quarter, up about 71% from the previous quarter. The shipments covered programmes spanning fixed wireless access, satellite connectivity, private networks, industrial IoT, and other specialised applications.

“5G chipset shipments increased approximately 71% sequentially from last quarter as we continued supporting customer programs across a broad range of applications, including fixed wireless access, satellite connectivity, private networks, industrial IoT and other specialised connectivity solutions,” Schlaefer said.

Within its satellite business, GCT is working on both direct-to-device and hybrid satellite-cellular programmes. The projects remain under development and certification with several partners.

GCT expands its NTN work

GCT’s satellite work extends beyond its latest quarterly update. The company’s May reference-platform agreement with an unnamed satellite communications provider covers next-generation user equipment built around GCT’s 4G and 5G chipsets.

According to GCT, the reference design is intended for equipment that communicates across both satellite and terrestrial networks.

“Signing the reference platform agreement underscores the trust our partner has placed in GCT’s technology and our ability to deliver,” Schlaefer said.

The January licensing agreement with the same provider also covers direct-to-satellite applications, with shipments supporting the programme expected to begin as early as the second half of 2026.

Certification is another part of GCT’s NTN development work. GCT and Skylo said in February that they were jointly certifying chips and modules for devices designed to use satellite connectivity when terrestrial coverage is unavailable.

GCT is also working with Globalstar on modules for two-way satellite communications. Globalstar said future products using GCT chipsets are intended to support switching between cellular and satellite connectivity.

These projects cover different stages of device development, including chipset licensing, reference designs, module development, and certification. They form part of GCT’s wider customer pipeline for satellite and non-terrestrial connectivity.

Outside NTN, GCT is also working on fixed wireless access, customer premises equipment, wearables, aviation connectivity, and UAV communications.

Some customer launches have been pushed back because of restructuring, industry consolidation, and changes to deployment schedules, according to GCT. The company said development, integration, certification, and sales work continued despite those timing changes.

The company remains at an early stage of generating revenue from its 5G products. GCT reported second-quarter revenue of $1 million and a net loss of $20.4 million, which included a $12.3 million non-cash loss related to changes in the fair value of common stock warrant liabilities.

The company ended June with $30.2 million in cash and cash equivalents. Edmond Cheng, CFO of GCT, said revenue generated during the first half of 2026 had slightly exceeded the company’s total revenue for 2025.

GCT has secured production capacity for the remainder of 2026 and the first quarter of 2027 as its customer programmes continue toward planned deployments.

(Photo by Donald Giannatti)

See also: FCC examines unlicensed spectrum for satellite D2D

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