Iridium and Mlink Advance NTN Direct Testing for Global IoT Connectivity
Event summary
- Mlink's MS150-IR chipset began live testing on Iridium NTN Direct on June 24, 2026.
- Certification and product availability anticipated before the end of 2026.
- Iridium NTN Direct leverages 66 cross-linked LEO satellites for global NB-IoT connectivity.
- Mlink's chipsets aim to extend IoT coverage beyond terrestrial networks.
The big picture
Iridium's NTN Direct service represents a strategic push to standardize global IoT connectivity via satellite, reducing reliance on terrestrial infrastructure. The partnership with Mlink underscores growing industry momentum toward non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), particularly for low-power IoT applications in remote or underserved regions.
What we're watching
- Certification Timeline
- Whether Mlink's MS150-IR chipset achieves certification by year-end 2026 as planned.
- Ecosystem Growth
- The pace at which Iridium NTN Direct attracts additional chipset partners.
- Commercial Rollout
- How quickly certified products reach the market and gain adoption.
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