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This Taiwanese Startup Just Solved One of 5G/6G and Satellite Tech’s Biggest Problems

The future of global connectivity depends on more than just faster wireless speeds — it requires smarter, greener, and more cost-efficient network infrastructure. That’s exactly where Taiwan’s Ranictek is making waves.


Founded in 2022, this young IC design startup has developed a breakthrough set of energy-saving, cost-effective baseband chips designed to address some of the most pressing bottlenecks facing modern communication networks — from O-RAN 5G base stations to satellite ground terminals. With its innovative chip solutions, Ranictek is paving the way for large-scale, sustainable, and affordable wireless deployments that were once considered out of reach.

This Taiwanese Startup Just Solved One of 5G/6G and Satellite Tech’s Biggest Problems

Cracking the 5G/6G Bottleneck


The global rollout of 5G networks — and the early research and development of 6G — have faced considerable headwinds, particularly when it comes to costs and energy consumption. While the promise of lightning-fast, low-latency wireless coverage has been hyped for years, real-world deployment has been slowed by technical and economic realities.


One major challenge lies in the baseband chips that power the wireless backbone of mobile networks, especially those using O-RAN (Open Radio Access Network) architecture. These chips handle complex signal processing, massive data throughput, and beamforming — the precise directional control of radio signals essential for efficient spectrum use.


The problem? Traditional proprietary baseband chips are expensive to manufacture, highly power-hungry, and difficult to scale. This has made deploying large-scale, high-performance base stations — particularly those with Massive MIMO(Multiple Input, Multiple Output) capabilities — cost-prohibitive for many operators.


As Dr. Mike Wang, Ranictek’s founder and CEO, puts it: “The high costs and energy consumption of conventional solutions have been key factors slowing down O-RAN deployment worldwide.” Ranictek’s technology offers a way forward.



Ranictek’s Breakthrough: Efficient, Scalable Baseband Chips


Ranictek’s latest baseband chip series is built from the ground up for high-efficiency, high-performance wireless applications. Fully compatible with O-RAN Split 7.2x standards — a widely supported specification for open, disaggregated mobile networks — these chips enable operators to deploy next-generation wireless networks more affordably and with far lower energy requirements.


Critically, Ranictek’s chips support all forms of beamforming, including analog, hybrid, and digital. This flexibility allows network architects to tailor deployments to specific performance, energy, and cost targets — from dense urban environments to remote rural coverage.


Where many competitors focus on small cell solutions, Ranictek is aiming higher. Their chips are optimized for medium to large base stations with Massive MIMO antenna arrays, supporting configurations of 64 antennas and beyond. These large antenna systems are essential for delivering the broad coverage, high throughput, and spectrum efficiency needed for widespread 5G and future 6G connectivity.


The result is a platform that enables wide-area, high-capacity wireless coverage — all while drastically reducing power consumption. For mobile network operators, this means the ability to expand coverage quickly and sustainably, while also meeting increasingly strict carbon-reduction goals.


This Taiwanese Startup Just Solved One of 5G and Satellite Tech’s Biggest Problems

Extending Beyond Earth: Satellite-Optimized Solutions


Ranictek’s vision doesn’t stop at terrestrial networks. As satellite communications — particularly LEO (Low Earth Orbit) constellations — gain momentum, ground station and terminal hardware becomes another critical bottleneck.


Ranictek is applying its high-efficiency baseband chip expertise to satellite systems, developing solutions optimized for satellite ground stations and LEO satellite terminals. Their roadmap includes support for fully digital beamformingacross multiple communication channels — an increasingly essential feature for modern satellite internet systems where multiple simultaneous connections and dynamic signal routing are required.


This positions Ranictek as a key enabler of affordable, high-performance connectivity — both on the ground and in space.


Industry Recognition and Market Momentum


The global industry is already recognizing the potential of Ranictek’s innovations. In 2023, the company was awarded “Most Leading-Edge Startup” at EE Awards Asia, one of the region’s most prestigious honors for emerging tech companies.


Behind this success is a leadership team with deep technical expertise. Dr. Mike Wang, an alumnus of National Taiwan University and seasoned semiconductor expert, leads Ranictek with a vision for solving real-world network challenges through advanced chip design. The company is also forging partnerships with major telecom operators, including Chunghwa Telecom, to bring its solutions to market.

This Taiwanese Startup Just Solved One of 5G and Satellite Tech’s Biggest Problems

With the global 5G infrastructure market expected to exceed $150 billion by 2027, and LEO satellite internet initiatives like Starlink, Kuiper, and others racing toward mass deployment, the demand for energy-efficient, scalable, and cost-effective communication hardware is greater than ever.


Ranictek is poised to be at the center of this transformation.


Experience Ranictek’s Breakthrough


For those eager to see the future of telecommunications, Taiwan Demo Day in Menlo Park on July 24, 2025 is the place to be. Ranictek will be showcasing its latest baseband chip technology and sharing insights into how its solutions are enabling affordable, large-scale 5G, 6G, and satellite network rollouts.



This event brings together Taiwan’s most promising startups — spanning AI, hardware, deep tech, and communications — alongside investors, technologists, and global business leaders.


Whether you’re looking to partner, invest, or simply stay ahead of the curve, Taiwan Demo Day is your opportunity to engage directly with the entrepreneurs shaping the next decade of innovation.

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