Three Rounds in a Row, Shanghai Gives Birth to a $10 Billion Satellite Internet Unicorn
Shanghai-based semiconductor company Sixic has raised a new strategic investment round, securing backing from investors including Xinhuanet Venture Capital and Tongding Group, with continued support from existing investors. This marks the company's third disclosed financing this year, following a 1.5 billion RMB raise in February, officially cementing its status as a new Shanghai unicorn with a valuation exceeding 10 billion USD.
The financing comes amid a dynamic period for China's commercial aerospace sector. Recent milestones include a successful controlled landing of a rocket first stage, signaling a path toward lower launch costs, and the establishment of a national Commercial Aerospace Innovation Consortium comprising 271 entities. Sixic stands out as the only 6G satellite internet baseband chip company within this consortium.
The article highlights a market shift from a focus on rockets and satellites towards recognizing the value of the terminal and connectivity layer, essential for completing the commercial loop. Satellite internet, integral to 6G and commercial aerospace, is entering an industrial phase with clear policy support, including China's pioneering allocation of 6GHz spectrum for 6G R&D.
Sixic specializes in 5G/6G satellite communication baseband chips, a highly complex segment. Unlike terrestrial communication, satellite chips must address challenges like high Doppler shift and signal loss. The company's technological validation is a key driver for investment. It has secured product certifications from leading global smartphone manufacturers, new energy vehicle makers, and communication module companies. A strategic partnership with ZTE was announced in March to collaborate on 6G NTN satellite internet.
The company has achieved a full technical verification loop, from lab tests to in-orbit validation, including successfully demonstrating 5G NTN standard-based HD video calls via satellite in 2025. It maintains a 100% first-pass success rate for chip tape-outs and possesses full-stack in-house R&D capabilities. Sixic's strategy focuses on ASIC development for future commercial-scale, power-efficient consumer devices like smartphones. Its early and deep involvement in industry standards and constellation planning creates a significant competitive barrier.
Looking ahead, Sixic's opportunity extends beyond chips into modules and terminal ecosystems. It has developed a full range of baseband SoC solutions and provides reference designs to help partners launch products quickly. The recent release of the CM7620 broadband satellite communication module at MWC Shanghai completes its "chip-module-terminal" portfolio. This latest funding round represents a strategic bet on the foundational communication capabilities that will underpin the next generation of 6G and satellite internet value chains.
marsbit07/14 05:25
