ST Engineering iDirect to Demo Native 5G NR-NTN Access as Convergence Accelerates
ST Engineering iDirect has said it will demonstrate native 5G New Radio Non-Terrestrial Network (NR-NTN) access at Satellite 2026, marking a key step in the shift toward fully standards-based satellite–terrestrial integration.
The live demo features a satellite-optimised 5G gNodeB integrated into the company’s cloud-native Intuition ground system, enabling end-to-end 3GPP-compliant connectivity from user equipment through to the 5G core. The focus is on delivering seamless interoperability between satellite and terrestrial networks, a critical requirement as operators look to extend 5G coverage globally.
By embedding NTN capabilities directly into a software-defined RAN architecture, the company is positioning its platform to support hybrid networks that combine terrestrial infrastructure with satellite coverage. The demonstration also lays the groundwork for future developments, including 5G-Advanced and eventual 6G integration.