nxgsat and University of Málaga Demonstrate Live 5G NTN Over GEO Satellite

nxgsat and the University of Málaga have completed an end-to-end over-the-air test of a standards-compliant 5G NR NTN modem over a live GEO satellite.

Conducted during the EuCNC & 6G Summit in Málaga, the trial used the Hispasat 30W-6C satellite and validated nxgsat’s software-defined 5G NR user equipment under real satellite conditions. Unlike many NTN demonstrations that rely on simulation or emulation, the test carried live traffic over an operational satellite link.

The campaign demonstrated full end-to-end connectivity between the user equipment and a 5G gNodeB, including successful authentication, data transfer, voice calls and HD video sessions. The setup was based on a 3GPP Release 18 NTN architecture and included testing of satellite-specific procedures such as SIB19 handling.

The trial was carried out over an existing transparent Ku-band GEO payload rather than dedicated NTN satellite infrastructure, suggesting operators could potentially deliver standards-based 5G NTN services using satellites already in orbit, reducing the need for new space assets.