ST Engineering iDirect is conducting a live demonstration of native 5G NR-NTN (New Radio Non-Terrestrial Network) connectivity featuring a satellite-optimized 5G gNodeB integrated into its cloud-native Intuition ground system, at the Satellite 2026 Conference. The technology enables standards-based 5G NR satellite access from the 5G UE (User Equipment) to the 5G core network and marks the next phase of the company’s 5G roadmap, highlighting its progress in 5G convergence.
The demonstration has shown native 5G NR-NTN access interfacing directly with the 5G core, supporting interoperability with terrestrial networks as well as with both 3GPP and non-3GPP NTN systems. This approach has supported the deployment of 5G services across hybrid terrestrial-satellite environments using standardized interfaces.
The demonstration builds on ST Engineering iDirect’s earlier work in enabling roaming across non-3GPP networks and now highlights the second pillar of its 5G NTN roadmap: full 3GPP NTN access. The solution integrates ST Engineering iDirect’s satellite-optimized RAN technology, including a 5G gNodeB stack developed as part of the Intuition system. Building on decades of innovation in satellite radio access networks, it aligns with the latest 3GPP NTN specifications and establishes a foundation for future advancements, such as ST Engineering iDirect’s recently demonstrated GNSS-free capabilities for 5G NR, while accelerating the transition to standardized, software-defined 5G NTN networks.
"The live 5G NR-NTN demonstration marks a major milestone in our hybrid 5G strategy," said Sridhar Kuppanna, Chief Technology Officer at ST Engineering iDirect. "This is the foundation of our approach—enabling operators to evolve from non-3GPP to full 3GPP NTN access while maximizing the value of their existing infrastructure and preparing for the next generation of hybrid 5G–6G networks."
ST Engineering iDirect is demonstrating native 5G NR-NTN connectivity at the Satellite 2026 Conference being held in Washington, D.C.this week.
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