Five organisations have jointly developed and conducted a live demonstration of a new 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) satellite technology for mobile connectivity in remote areas.
The Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), SKY Perfect JSAT, TMY Technology, Rohde & Schwarz, and VIAVI Solutions jointly developed the tech. The live demonstration took place at the World Expo 2025 Singapore Pavilion in Osaka, Japan, showcasing what they call end-to-end cross-country 5G new radio (NR) NTN.
At the demonstration a 5G signal was transmitted from a communication device in Singapore via a satellite antenna, to a geostationary (GEO) satellite operated by JSAT. This signal was then forwarded from the satellite to a ground station in JSAT, Japan, which connected to a 5G base station and 5G core network emulator. This, says the release, demonstrates the feasibility of communications between NTN and terrestrial networks, and is the first such transmission between the two countries.
All this, we’re told, shows that an existing GEO satellite can support the 5G NR standards as defined by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). “Although current 5G deployments primarily rely on TN, upcoming 6G networks are expected to be a convergence of both TN and NTN to achieve global coverage and resilient connectivity. Today’s demonstration will lay the foundation for future extensions to medium earth orbit (MEO) and low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, as well as 6G converged TN and NTN,” states the release.
“We are proud to have participated in the world's first demonstration using our geostationary satellite and 5G NTN Lab at the prestigious World Expo, under the leadership of SUTD,” said Mr Eiichi Yonekura, Representative Director, President & CEO of SKY Perfect JSAT. “Moving forward, we will continue to contribute to the advancement of telecommunications technology through collaboration and engagement with stakeholders in Singapore and beyond.
“Additionally, we will provide a highly reliable communication environment through the Universal NTN, an innovative multi-layered communication platform, aiming to establish technologies that enable seamless connectivity between mobile and satellite networks,” said Mr Eiichi Yonekura, Representative Director, President & CEO of SKY Perfect JSAT.”
Said Dr Sameh Yamany, Chief Technology Officer of VIAVI Solutions added: “At VIAVI, we are committed to enabling the future of global connectivity through innovation and collaboration. This breakthrough in 5G NTN technology marks a pivotal moment—not only proving that seamless mobile communication over satellite is achievable, but also laying the groundwork for resilient, borderless 6G networks. We are proud to contribute our test and validation expertise alongside global partners to turn this vision into reality.”
The organisations also claim this collaboration is among the first in the world to integrate an electronically steered antenna (ESA) for 5G NTN GEO communications, which they say enables NTN technology to be more suitable for the maritime and autonomous vehicles industries, or connecting 5G UE to high-speed moving satellites such as LEO or MEO.
