Eutelsat, Mediatek, and Airbus successfully trial 5G NTN over LEO satellites

Eutelsat Group, MediaTek, and Airbus Defence and Space have completed the first successful 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) trial using the Eutelsat OneWeb low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite system. 

The test used Eutelsat OneWeb satellites, MediaTek’s NTN test chipset, and a test gNB from ITRI, following 3GPP Release 17 standards. Sharp and Rhode & Schwarz provided the antenna and test equipment, while Airbus-built satellites handled the connection. A 5G device connected to the network via satellite and exchanged data successfully. 

“5G NTN will be a key feature of the IRIS2 constellation, and Eutelsat is at the forefront of this innovation and active member of the ecosystem. We are proud to be the first satellite operator to demonstrate the 5G air interface working on a commercial fleet in Ku-band and paving the way for new applications in future constellations,” said Eutelsat’s Chief Engineering Officer Arlen Kassighian in a press release. 

The success of this trial highlights the strong development of technology in this sector, allowing users to t jump seamlessly from 5G to satellite as necessary. 

The trial is part of Eutelsat’s broader efforts to bridge the digital divide. Earlier this month, the company reached the milestone of delivering high-speed satellite internet to one million people in Sub-Saharan Africa through its Konnect Wi-Fi hotspot solution. The initiative aims to expand connectivity in areas where traditional broadband infrastructure is lacking. The Konnect Wi-Fi project relies on a geostationary (GEO) satellite, positioned at a fixed point above the Earth, to deliver high-speed broadband via stationary hotspots.

Source: total space