MTI Partners with EchoStar to Advance Development of Energy-Efficient Open RAN Macro Radios with NTIA Grant
Hsinchu, Taiwan, December 26, 2024 – Microelectronics Technology Inc. (MTI) is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with EchoStar Corporation (“EchoStar”), parent company of Boost Mobile, on an innovative Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) Radio Project which has been recently awarded nearly $35 million USD by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to advance open and interoperable wireless networks.
The project is funded by the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund (PWSCIF), which aims to promote wireless innovation, foster competition, and enhance supply chain resilience. The grant will support MTI and EchoStar’s partnership to develop leading-edge, energy-efficient Open RAN Macro radios which are not commercially available today from existing closed or Open RAN suppliers. EchoStar is the only operator in the United States that has commercially deployed an end-to-end mobile wireless network based on Open RAN standards, boasting an installed base of over 20,000 towers nationwide. EchoStar’s network is now the largest Open RAN deployment in the world.
In conjunction with MTI’s development and integration teams, EchoStar will utilize its resources, including personnel, data centers, sites, spectrum, and the necessary integration of the radio solutions to verify performance KPI’s in the areas specified by EchoStar over a two-year period. EchoStar will test and validate MTI’s radio unit (RU) within the Open RAN Center for Integration and Deployment (“ORCID”), which EchoStar opened on July 15, 2024, pursuant to a grant from NTIA under the PWSCIF’s first funding opportunity. ORCID will allow MTI to test and validate their hardware and software solutions (RU, DU and CU) against EchoStar’s Boost Mobile Network, a complete commercial-grade Open RAN network .
"This collaboration marks a significant step forward in MTI’s mission to advance next-generation wireless communication technologies globally,” said Eugene Wu, CEO of MTI. “Our longstanding partnership with EchoStar is vital in shaping the future of wireless technology worldwide and empowering communities across the U.S. Together with EchoStar, we will develop innovative Open RAN solutions that will drive the future of wireless networks—enhancing flexibility, security, and efficiency for global mobile network operators.”
“Driving innovation and bringing new solutions to market are essential to realizing Open RAN’s full potential,” said Eben Albertyn, Chief Technology Officer at EchoStar’s Boost Mobile. “We’re pleased to partner with MTI to develop, test, and integrate next-generation radios that will enhance our world-leading cloud-native 5G Open RAN network and deliver improved service for our customers.”
Since 2020, EchoStar and MTI have worked together on the development of Open RAN radios and components. MTI remains committed to advancing Open RAN technologies that empower telecom operators to reduce reliance on proprietary hardware while ensuring secure, efficient, and scalable wireless networks for the future.
For more information on MTI’s initiatives and its role in advancing wireless technologies, visit https://www.mtigroup.com/en.
About MTI:
Microelectronics Technology Inc. (MTI) is a leading RF provider in the Telecommunication and Satellite Communication Industries, specializing in the development, manufacturing, and global sales of wireless communication products. With more than 40 years of experience and core competencies in RF/ Microwave technology, MTI has earned a prominent position in the field of Remote Radio Heads, Microwave Radios, Satellite Transceivers and ODUs, Broadband Wireless access products, and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers and modules. For more information, please visit https://www.mtigroup.com/en/, connect with us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/microelectronics-technology-inc./about/.
About EchoStar (NASDAQ: SATS)
EchoStar Corporation (Nasdaq: SATS) is a premier provider of technology, networking services, television entertainment and connectivity, offering consumer, enterprise, operator, and government solutions worldwide under its EchoStar®, Boost Mobile®, Sling TV, DISH TV, Hughes®, HughesNet®, HughesON™ and JUPITER™ brands. In Europe, EchoStar operates under its EchoStar Mobile Limited subsidiary and in Australia, the company operates as EchoStar Global Australia. For more information, visit www.echostar.com and follow EchoStar on X (Twitter) and LinkedIn.
NTIA Award Notice
