Global Connectivity Unleashed: The Rise of Satellite-Based 5G

The evolution of telecom services toward 5G and 6G is driven by the ambition to deliver global, high-speed connectivity. This push isn’t just about faster speeds in cities; it’s about connecting the unconnected – reaching regions where traditional terrestrial infrastructure is economically challenging, technically impossible or temporarily knocked out by disasters. A key enabler of this vision is the integration of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) into the 3GPP ecosystem, forging a space-air-ground integrated network that complements traditional terrestrial systems.

The NTN ecosystem: a network from space to stratosphere

Before diving deeper, a foundational understanding of the core concepts, namely, the architecture of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), is essential to appreciate their role in the evolving 5G landscape.

NTNs are a diverse set of components designed to bridge connectivity gaps in challenging or remote areas where terrestrial infrastructure is impractical. They utilize assets across different orbits and altitudes to achieve the best balance essential network qualities: coverage, latency and capacity:

• Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites: Operate closest to Earth, offering low latency and high capacity through large constellations.
• Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites: These satellites strike a balance, offering wider coverage than LEO systems while delivering significantly lower latency than GEO satellites.
• Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites: Positioned at a fixed point high above the equator, GEO satellites provide continuous, wide-area coverage from a stable position.

Additionally, High-Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) such as stratospheric balloons and solar-powered aircraft act as floating cell towers, extending connectivity in hard-to-reach areas.

The collective architecture of NTN components enables for direct-to-device connectivity, allowing not only smartphones but also IoT devices to connect seamlessly to satellite networks without specialized hardware. What are the typical uses cases? This capability supports vital applications, including disaster recovery, maritime and aviation connectivity, and specialized IoT deployments in remote sectors like energy, mining and agriculture.

Ultimately, this integration of ground and space networks is fundamental to bridging the digital divide and guaranteeing resilient, truly global connectivity throughout the 5G era and beyond.

Rapid NTN market growth

The 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) market is undergoing a massive expansion. According to Precedence Research, after being valued at $7.65 billion in 2025, it is forecast to reach around $114 billion by 2034, reflecting a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 35% over that nine-year period.

The global trajectory of the market is characterized by distinct regional dynamics, each driven by major players and unique strategic priorities.

• North America currently leads the global 5G NTN market, holding an estimated 35% share in 2024. This leadership stems from substantial investments by private firms like SpaceX and OneWeb and strategic regulatory approvals facilitating hybrid network deployment across underserved areas.
• Meanwhile, strong NTN adoption is underway in the Asia Pacific, primarily driven by the vital need to connect vast, remote and rural regions and bolster public safety and disaster response. This momentum is further amplified by the push for smart city initiatives and widespread IoT deployments.
• Europe is steadily growing its NTN market, backed by strong support from the European Space Agency and the EU, alongside national regulatory efforts. Telecom operators are actively collaborating with satellite partners to build hybrid networks that facilitate industrial IoT and improve general connectivity in both remote and metropolitan areas.

Launching and scaling 5G NTN services requires advanced technologies, leading to significant commercial activity through strategic partnerships. Key initiatives include the December 2022 acquisition of CommAgility by E-Space, which integrated a specialized 5G NTN source code to power off-grid industrial use cases.

In March 2024, SpaceX and John Deere established a strategic partnership to provide cutting-edge satellite communications (SATCOM) service to rural areas, utilizing the Starlink network. This will allow farmers facing connectivity challenges to fully leverage precision agriculture and other advanced operational tools.

Furthermore, the antenna and connectivity solutions provider Auden Techno Group showcased significant innovations: at the ComNext 2024 expo in Tokyo, they unveiled technology integrating LEO satellite terminals with 5G NR Open RAN radio units for private networks and followed this by presenting 6G NTN & O-RAN innovations at MWC 2025.

Terrestrial-satellite roaming – unlimited roaming possibilities

3GPP (The 3rd Generation Partnership Project) conducted an extensive study on use cases for terrestrial to non-terrestrial networks cooperation. An example that paints an especially broad and vivid picture of possibilities that are being enabled by this technology, is shipping containers tracking.

A shipping company Worldwide monitors parameters like location and temperature using onboard User Equipment (UE). The service is anchored by the terrestrial operator TerrA and its global roaming partners when coverage is available. Crucially, as containers often pass through areas without terrestrial service (like oceans or remote land), the UEs are also equipped with satellite access. Therefore, TerrA strategically secures roaming agreements with satellite operators, such as SatA, guaranteeing tracking capabilities even when the container is off-grid – this ensures an unbroken chain of connectivity.

This approach puts the terrestrial network at the service’s core, adding satellite roaming to deliver truly global connectivity without sacrificing the benefits of ground infrastructure.

Further enhancements of this environment, such as seamless handovers, hold a potential to be the biggest step in broadening the coverage of communication services since GSM introduction.

While the adoption of this technology remains a challenge, traditional mobile operators are in an excellent position to facilitate it by partnering with satellite operators and upselling hybrid TN+NTN mobile subscriptions.

Conclusion

The continuing maturity of satellite-based 5G marks a critical transformation, shifting mobile connectivity toward a global utility. The integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks is crucial, as it not only enhances network coverage and resilience but also unlocks new business models and service opportunities across industries.

Given the growing regulatory and technological support, traditional mobile operators hold a unique strategic position. By embracing hybrid TN+NTN architectures and offering seamless roaming experiences, they can deliver on the promise of ubiquitous, high-performance connectivity – bridging the digital divide and laying the foundation for the 6G era.

At Software Mind, we help telecom operators manage complex evolutions, from core network solutions to advanced roaming capabilities. Contact us to discuss your approach to next-generation network architecture and discover how our products, including our Amplitiv intelligent roaming solutions, can support your transformation.

FAQ

What is the main difference between NTN and traditional satellite communication?

The main difference is 3GPP standardization and integration. Unlike traditional satellite systems that required specific, proprietary hardware, 5G NTN enables standard or minimally modified user equipment (smartphones, IoT devices) to connect directly to the satellite network.

What is the biggest challenge for mobile operators adopting hybrid TN+NTN?

The biggest challenge for mobile operators adopting hybrid TN+NTN is achieving seamless handover and consistent service quality between the fast-moving satellite network (NTN) and the stationary terrestrial network (TN). This technical complexity demands sophisticated hybrid network steering, precise timing compensation for signal delays and advanced software solutions.

What does “Direct-to-Device” (D2D) connectivity mean in the context of 5G NTN?

Direct-to-Device (D2D) is the capability for unmodified or minimally-modified end-user equipment to bypass traditional ground towers and link directly to a satellite. Enabled by the 3GPP NTN standard, this makes satellite-based 5G a cost-effective and accessible option for ensuring connectivity everywhere to both consumers and enterprises.

What are Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites and what are they used for?

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites are spacecraft that orbit close to Earth (typically under 2,000 km altitude) in large, fast-moving constellations. Their proximity results in very low latency, making them vital for high-speed communication. They are primarily used to deliver global broadband internet, provide high-resolution Earth observation, and enable key 5G NTN applications like asset tracking and remote connectivity.

What are Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites and what are they used for?

Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites orbit at altitudes between 8,000 km and 20,000 km. They provide wider coverage per satellite than LEO while maintaining significantly lower latency than GEO. MEO systems are critical for global navigation (GPS) and form a strategic layer in 5G NTN for high-capacity backhaul and balanced coverage.

What are Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites and what are they used for?

Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites orbit at a high altitude of approximately 35,786 km above the equator, synchronizing their speed with the Earth’s rotation to remain fixed over a single geographical point. This stability allows them to provide continuous, very wide-area coverage with minimal satellites. GEO systems are primarily used for satellite television broadcasting and continuous meteorological monitoring, but their great distance results in the highest signal latency.

What are High-Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) and what are they used for?

High-Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) are stratospheric assets (drones or balloons) that operate between 17 km and 25 km. They function as floating cell towers, providing continuous, low-latency coverage over wide regional areas. In the 5G/6G NTN architecture, HAPS are crucial to extend high-capacity broadband to remote or disaster-hit areas.