Mlink’s MS150-IR Chipset Begins Live Testing on Iridium’s 66-Satellite NTN Direct Network
IRDM•Mlink Technology’s MS150-IR IoT-NTN chipset began live on-orbit testing with Iridium Communications’ 3GPP standards-based NTN Direct service, integrating into the growing NB-IoT and D2D ecosystem. Certification and global product availability are expected before year-end 2026, leveraging Iridium’s 66 cross-linked LEO satellites for low-power IoT connectivity.
1. Live Testing Launch
Mlink Technology’s MS150-IR IoT-NTN chipset has transitioned from lab validation to live on-orbit testing using Iridium Communications’ NTN Direct service, which adheres to 3GPP NB-IoT and D2D standards. This milestone demonstrates interoperability between Mlink’s MS150-IR design and Iridium’s network architecture, validating performance in real-world conditions.
2. Certification & Commercial Rollout
Iridium and Mlink anticipate completing certification of the MS150-IR chipset and beginning product shipments before the end of 2026. This timeline aligns with Iridium’s broader roadmap for commercial launch of its NTN Direct service, positioning both companies for early market entry in the global IoT space.
3. Ecosystem Growth & Applications
By joining Iridium’s expanding roster of chipset partners, Mlink strengthens the NTN Direct ecosystem that leverages Iridium’s 66 cross-linked LEO satellites. The combined platform targets IoT use cases such as asset tracking, logistics, utilities and industrial monitoring, enabling device makers and network operators to deploy low-power, global satellite connectivity without additional terrestrial infrastructure.
