On November 18, students from the National Taiwan University Global MBA program visited the headquarters of AMPAK Technology in Hsinchu, Taiwan. AMPAK is a publicly listed company on the Taiwan Stock Exchange and a key supplier of wireless communication modules in the AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) supply chain. The visit provided valuable insights into the company's operations, product portfolio, and the broader telecommunications industry landscape.
 

Chairman Mike opened the session by highlighting AMPAK's strategic position in the rapidly growing AI infrastructure market. He noted that major tech companies are investing over $100 billion in AI computing infrastructure, creating significant opportunities for AIoT component suppliers. The presentation by product managers Ike and Nixon covered the evolution of Wi-Fi standards from Wi-Fi 4 through Wi-Fi 7/8, as well as the 5G technology roadmap. A particularly insightful discussion centered on the distinction between standalone (SA) and non-standalone (NSA) 5G networks, explaining why consumers often perceive limited difference between 4G and 5G services. The NSA mode shares core network infrastructure with 4G, limiting latency improvements despite faster data speeds. The speakers also addressed the timeline for 6G development, noting that specification work will begin around 2025 with commercial deployment expected by 2030. During the Q&A session, students asked about industry challenges, and the presenters noted that US-China trade tensions have created new opportunities for Taiwan-based suppliers as customers seek alternatives to Chinese manufacturers.
 

The visit included two hands-on demonstrations showcasing AMPAK's technology applications. The first featured a 5G-connected drone system developed in partnership with Gemtek, demonstrating real-time video streaming and AI-powered object tracking capabilities. The system included a portable base station that can be deployed for emergency response, search and rescue operations, or commercial surveillance. Participants observed how the drone's camera could lock onto and track individuals in real time, with AI processing handled by an edge computing device connected via 5G. The portable base station can provide coverage up to 30 kilometers, making it suitable for remote field operations. The second demonstration highlighted a Wi-Fi-enabled motion-sensing jacket integrated with a fitness gaming application. Participants wore the jacket and played an interactive game that tracked arm movements, experiencing firsthand how embedded Wi-Fi modules enable real-time motion tracking, a potential future trend for home fitness applications.
 

The visit concluded with a gift exchange ceremony and group photos, capping off an informative afternoon that gave students practical exposure to Taiwan's wireless communications industry.

(Written by GMBA student - Kevin Lin 林愷)