iDirect Demonstrates 3GPP NTN, Accelerating 5G Satellite Convergence
Event summary
- ST Engineering iDirect demonstrated native 5G New Radio Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) connectivity at the Satellite 2026 Conference.
- The demonstration integrated a satellite-optimized 5G gNodeB into iDirect’s cloud-native Intuition ground system.
- iDirect CTO Sridhar Kuppanna characterized the demonstration as a key milestone in the company’s hybrid 5G strategy.
- This marks the second phase of iDirect’s 5G NTN roadmap, following earlier work on roaming across non-3GPP networks.
The big picture
iDirect's demonstration signifies a crucial step towards standardized, ubiquitous 5G connectivity leveraging satellite infrastructure. The move from non-3GPP to full 3GPP NTN access is essential for operators seeking to extend 5G services globally, particularly in areas with limited terrestrial coverage. This convergence of satellite and terrestrial networks is increasingly vital as demand for low-latency, high-bandwidth connectivity grows across industries like mobility, broadcast, and defense.
What we're watching
- Standardization
- The speed at which 3GPP NTN specifications are adopted and implemented across the satellite industry will determine the pace of interoperability and widespread deployment.
- Competitive Landscape
- Whether iDirect’s GNSS-free 5G NR capabilities will gain traction against established positioning technologies will influence its market share in critical applications.
- Hybrid Strategy
- How effectively iDirect balances its hybrid 5G approach with the evolving demands of 5G-6G network architectures will be crucial for long-term success.
Related topics