MediaTek and Starlink Team Up for Satellite Emergency Alerts Around the World
At the 2026 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona MediaTek said they're working with Starlink to put emergency alerts on phones using satellites. The idea is to get important warnings to people when cell service is down like during natural disasters. Starlink's satellite internet will send the messages.
The MediaTek M90 chip makes this possible. It's the first 5G modem that can talk to satellites. This chip uses S Band frequencies to connect directly to cell phones so regular phones can get emergency alerts without needing any new parts.
The system works with Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) the Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) and the Earthquake and Tsunami Warning System (ETWS).
The tech follows NR NTN (Non Terrestrial Network) standards which is a big move toward making satellite communication common in gadgets.
This setup is already being used in the US Canada and Japan. Stats show that over 4.4 million people have used Starlink Mobile to stay connected during emergencies when regular cell towers weren't working.
JC Hsu a top exec at MediaTek said this is all about filling in the gaps in cell coverage that pop up when things get real. The M90 modem makes sure alerts get through no matter where you are or what's happening on the ground.
This news from MWC 2026 points to a future where we can count on satellite tech as a backup for keeping people safe and managing emergencies.
