- Samsung is developing an AI modem to power Starlink’s 6G network
- SpaceX spent $17 billion to acquire spectrum to expand its 6G NTN plans
- Starlink’s next phase aims for direct satellite-to-device communications worldwide
Samsung is reportedly developing an AI-enhanced modem for Elon Musk’s Starlink network, a move that could mark the beginning of a new phase in satellite-to-device communications.
Reports from Korean Economic Daily claims that this collaboration aims to eliminate reliance on traditional base station infrastructure, potentially allowing smartphones, SMB routers and other connected devices to connect directly with satellites.
The partnership is in line with SpaceX’s recent push into 6G non-terrestrial networks (NTN), backed by a reported $17 billion spectrum acquisition.
The role of AI in Starlink’s 6G vision
At the heart of the new design is a neural processing unit that will “predict satellite orbits and optimize signal links in real time.”
This would solve a long-standing limitation in current-generation modems, which struggle to maintain consistent high-speed connections with fast-moving low-Earth orbit satellites.
Samsung’s presentation shows that the new Exynos modem can improve beam identification and channel prediction by 55 and 42 times, respectively, compared to existing models.
Such capabilities could enable smoother switching between nodes in orbit, which is essential for reliable satellite broadband and direct-to-device services.
If the technology proves successful, it could reshape how modems and routers handle connectivity in remote or mobile environments.
Instead of routing through complex ground-based systems, the AI modem could connect devices directly to Starlink’s expanding constellation.
For consumer hardware, this could mean laptops or smartphones capable of maintaining coverage in areas previously inaccessible to terrestrial networks.
For enterprise and SMB modem deployments, it can support high-bandwidth communications in locations where fiber or 5G signals remain inconsistent.
This development also reflects Samsung’s growing ambition to expand its semiconductor business beyond smartphones and memory.
Industry observers note that the company’s joint work with Tesla on advanced AI chips already pointed in this direction.
Now, by working with Starlink, Samsung seems intent on positioning itself as a key player in next-generation communications infrastructure.
However, AI-powered signal optimization requires large power and processing resources, and early 6G NTN devices may struggle to balance efficiency with performance.
The Starlink-Samsung partnership represents an ambitious step towards fusing AI and orbital communications, although the full impact remains to be proven.
Whether this AI modem becomes a defining component of Musk’s 6G NTN vision will depend on how well it balances power consumption, cost and performance in space-connected networks.
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