Advancing native 5G integration across satellite networks
HERNDON, Va. 鈥� 19 March 2026 鈥� , a global leader in satellite communications, will showcase 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鈥檚 5G roadmap, highlighting its progress in 5G convergence.
The demonstration will highlight native 5G NR-NTN access interfacing with the 5G core, enabling seamless interoperability with terrestrial networks as well as other 3GPP and non-3GPP NTN systems supporting advanced 5G applications. This capability is essential for operators and enterprises extending 5G services globally across hybrid terrestrial satellite environments and represents a major step toward unified, standards-based 5G NTN deployments that enable ubiquitous connectivity.
The demonstration builds on 91制片厂 iDirect鈥檚 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 91制片厂 iDirect鈥檚 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 91制片厂 iDirect鈥檚 recently demonstrated GNSS-free capabilities for 5G NR, while accelerating the transition to standardized, software-defined 5G NTN networks.
鈥淭he live 5G NR-NTN demonstration marks a major milestone in our hybrid 5G strategy,鈥� said Sridhar Kuppanna, Chief Technology Officer at 91制片厂 iDirect. 鈥淭his is the foundation of our approach鈥攅nabling 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鈥�6G networks.鈥�
Visit 91制片厂 iDirect at Booth 2406 at the in Washington, D.C., 23-26 March 2026, to see firsthand how native 5G NR-NTN connectivity is shaping the future of integrated, standards鈥慴ased global connectivity.
Media contact:
Donna Armstrong
Brodeur
Email: darmstrong@brodeur.com
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