The European Space Agency (ESA) and several major partners have taken a big step toward blending satellite and terrestrial 5G networks. Working with MediaTek, Eutelsat, Airbus Defence and Space, Sharp, the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), and Rohde & Schwarz, ESA completed the first successful trial of 5G-Advanced Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) technology using low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites.

The trial, run through Eutelsat’s OneWeb constellation, followed the latest 3GPP Release 19 standards — setting the stage for networks that combine space and ground-based signals.

For businesses that rely on always-on connectivity, even short network disruptions can affect operations and revenue. While 5G covers most urban areas, many remote or offshore sites still struggle to maintain a stable link. Adding satellites to the mix could fill those gaps, extending coverage for industries that depend on real-time data — such as shipping, logistics, and energy.

The test also shows how satellite broadband can become part of regular enterprise networking. By following global standards, ESA and its partners are helping make satellite connections easier to integrate with the systems companies already use to connect edge devices and remote locations.

From experiment to implementation

The trial used MediaTek’s 5G NTN chipset and ITRI’s base-station technology, operating on Ku-band frequencies with a 50 MHz channel bandwidth. It proved conditional handover — meaning a device could move between a satellite and a land-based tower without dropping its connection.

A terminal built by Sharp, featuring a flat-panel antenna, kept a stable link through a ground station at ESA’s technology centre in the Netherlands. Airbus provided the OneWeb satellite platform and transponders, while Rohde & Schwarz supplied the signal-testing equipment. Together, the group showed that space and terrestrial systems can share the same network setup and work smoothly together.

This result moves 5G-Advanced NTN technology closer to commercial use. Industries such as defence, energy, and transport could benefit first, using the combined reach of satellites and 5G towers to maintain communication even in areas where ground coverage is limited.

Opportunities and operational challenges

Wider adoption will take time. Merging satellite and terrestrial networks isn’t as simple as switching on a new frequency. It requires cooperation between mobile operators, equipment makers, and regulators. Networks also need new software to manage how devices hand over connections between orbiting and ground stations.

Latency — the delay between sending and receiving a signal — remains another concern. Even with LEO satellites, data still travels thousands of kilometres. That can make a difference for systems that rely on split-second responses, such as automated controls or financial trading. Companies will need to decide which tasks make sense to run over satellite links and which should stay on the ground.

Data handling also becomes more complex once networks extend across borders. Organisations will have to keep data-protection and cybersecurity policies in line with regional laws as information moves through multiple jurisdictions.

Despite these challenges, the trial reflects Europe’s growing focus on next-generation communications. ESA’s David Phillips said the success “proves why collaboration is an essential ingredient in boosting competitiveness and growth of Europe’s satellite communications sector.” Partners from MediaTek, Eutelsat, and Sharp echoed that view, describing the test as a step from lab experiments toward real-world readiness.

What’s next

ESA’s Space for 5G/6G & Sustainable Connectivity programme is part of a broader push to build one network that links land, sea, and air. Its research hubs in the UK and the Netherlands now serve as testing grounds for telecom operators, hardware makers, and software developers.

The next phase will focus on scaling the technology — fine-tuning handover processes, improving interoperability between different satellite systems, and testing commercial models. Over time, satellite-backed broadband could become as routine as fibre or wireless connections in enterprise networks.

For technology leaders, the takeaway is straightforward: the line between terrestrial and space-based connectivity is disappearing. Planning now for interoperability, data compliance, and always-on connectivity will help businesses stay connected everywhere — not just where towers reach.

See also: Can satellites find public infrastructure risks early?

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