en.Wedoany.com Reported - nxgsat, in collaboration with the University of Málaga (Universidad de Málaga, UMA), has completed an airborne test based on a real transparent GEO satellite payload, validating nxgsat's 5G NR software-defined radio user equipment (SDR UE). This test marks the first end-to-end verification of a standards-compliant, productized 5G NTN modem in a real satellite environment, representing a commercial milestone for 5G NTN on GEO infrastructure.
The test was conducted by nxgsat in partnership with the Mobile Networks and Software Reliability (MORSE) research group at the ITIS Software Institute of the University of Málaga. Delia Rico, Assistant Professor at the University of Málaga, led the collaboration on behalf of MORSE and provided the gateway infrastructure in Málaga, Spain. The joint team validated a complete end-to-end 5G NTN link through a real satellite environment, demonstrating that 3GPP-standard-based NTN connectivity can now be achieved using existing satellite assets.
The test was conducted via the transparent Ku-band payload of the Hispasat 30W-6C satellite, validating nxgsat's 5G NR SDR UE under real satellite channel conditions and confirming its ability to connect, authenticate, and transmit real-time traffic within the 3GPP NTN architecture. Key achievements include: full end-to-end connection between the UE and gNB via a real-time GEO satellite link; successful startup of the nxgsat 5G NR SDR UE in a 3GPP NTN Release 18-compliant setup, from initial login to end-to-end traffic, including SIB19 processing and characterization of the satellite channel's impact on the operational link; and a series of functional and performance tests, including HD video, voice calls, and high-throughput uplink and downlink data transmission.
José Laffitte, Chief Operating Officer of nxgsat, stated that this is a significant milestone for nxgsat and the broader deployment of 5G NTN on GEO infrastructure, confirming that a productized 5G NTN software-defined UE modem can reliably operate on transparent satellite payloads and deliver end-to-end traffic, serving as an important validation of the service readiness of its 5G NR NTN technology.
Pedro Merino, Professor and Director of the ITIS Software Institute at the University of Málaga and Technical Director of 6G-SANDBOX, stated that the collaboration with nxgsat allowed the MORSE team to apply its research expertise to real-world 5G NTN deployment scenarios. The results validated the feasibility of standards-based 5G connectivity on existing satellite assets, showcasing the type of academic-industry collaboration that the EU-funded 6G-SANDBOX project aims to accelerate. He believes that validating 5G NTN on a live GEO satellite directly demonstrates the capabilities achievable with UMA's experimental infrastructure.
The impact of these results extends beyond the laboratory. For satellite operators, the test confirms that 5G NTN services can be delivered via existing Ku-band transparent payloads without requiring new space infrastructure. For telecom companies and mobile network operators, it validates a standards-based path to extending 5G coverage globally via satellite. For government and defense customers, it demonstrates resilient, interoperable connectivity across orbits and network types. This successful activity indicates that nxgsat's 5G NTN software UE modem is commercially ready to support customers in deploying interoperable, resilient, and secure satellite communications across networks and orbits. UMA and nxgsat have already demonstrated this technology live at the EuCNC & 6G Summit held in Málaga, Spain, from June 2 to 5, 2026.
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