Cynthia Harty, SVP of Corporate Development, ST Engineering iDirect speaks with Teletimes in an exclusive interview about the future of NTN and 5G in a multi-orbit, multi-vendor environment
Gulraiz Khalid: How does ST Engineering iDirect see the role of non-terrestrial networks (NTN) in completing the 5G ecosystem, and what key problems are you specifically aiming to solve for mobile operators and enterprises?
Cynthia Harty: By integrating satellite and terrestrial infrastructures, non-terrestrial networks (NTN) create a unified communication layer. This layer enables satellite networks (non-3GPP networks) to interoperate with native 5G NTN networks and terrestrial networks. This interoperability redefines connectivity by supporting global mobility, resilience, and innovation. It’s not just about extending coverage; it’s about fundamentally transforming how connectivity is delivered and experienced by the end user.
The key problems we aim to solve for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and enterprises are multifaceted. First, there is the issue of closing the connectivity gap. Terrestrial 5G alone cannot bridge the digital divide, especially in regions like Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. NTN enables operators to connect remote schools, clinics, and enterprises more cost-effectively than terrestrial solutions, ensuring that even the most underserved areas can access modern digital services.
Second, NTN addresses the need for global mobility. Industries such as aviation, maritime, and land mobility require seamless connectivity that terrestrial networks alone cannot provide. NTN ensures that these industries can operate without interruption, regardless of their location.
Third, NTN enhances resilience and redundancy. By creating a “network of networks,” NTN provides a backup layer for critical services, ensuring high availability through multi-orbit satellite networks, including LEO, MEO, HEO, and GEO constellations. This is particularly important for disaster recovery and mission-critical applications.
Fourth, NTN drives operational efficiency and fosters a multi-vendor ecosystem. Compliance with 5G NTN standards, cloud-native principles, and disaggregated architectures will help reduce vendor lock-in, enabling them to choose different modules and standardized User Equipment (UEs). It also allows operators to reuse existing satellite and terrestrial infrastructure while adopting 5G Core advantages, driving operational efficiencies. This approach not only lowers costs but also accelerates deployment timelines.
“Roll of NTN in completing 5G ecosystem: Closing the connectivity gap Addressing the need for global mobility Enhancing resilience and redundancyDriving operational efficiency in a multi-vendor ecosystem Unlocking new revenue streams”
Finally, NTN unlocks new revenue streams. For MNOs, solving connectivity, resiliency, and mobility challenges can lead to new markets and revenue streams. To best serve enterprises, operators can monetize idle satellite capacity, offer differentiated services like network slicing, and bring new business models to market. Our Intuition ground system exemplifies this vision by supporting both non-3GPP and native 5G NTN architectures. It enables operators to roam seamlessly across NTN and TN networks to expand coverage, reduce churn, and improve network resilience.
GK: From a technical and commercial perspective, what are the main challenges in integrating 5G NTN with existing terrestrial 5G networks, and how is ST Engineering iDirect working with MNOs to overcome issues such as mobility, and handover, and spectrum coordination?
CH: Interoperability is the key issue. Standardizing protocols and interfaces across diverse network components is essential for smooth integration. Integrating satcom architecture with a 5G Core is a first step, as a unified NTN architecture allows operators to centralize key functions such as authentication, billing systems, policy control, mobility, and handover management. This simplifies operations, reduces complexity, and lowers costs. Most importantly, interoperability improves the customer experience with seamless mobility and consistent service quality. Telcos/MNOs would benefit from running NTN networks as an extension of their terrestrial networks, while maintaining the customer experience and opening opportunities to offer tailored services with specific performance guarantees, regardless of where the customer’s site is located.
Bandwidth and resource management, latency, Doppler shift, and the integration of regenerative payloads are other key technical challenges in bringing satellite networks into the 5G ecosystem. ST Engineering iDirect is actively contributing to 3GPP working groups to tackle these challenges, applying its extensive satcom expertise to influence the 5G NR and scheduling standards and to develop solutions such as satellite-optimized waveforms with GNSS-free operation, as well as scheduler and mobility manager enhancements.
On the commercial side, integrating satellite systems cost-effectively into existing 5G infrastructure has remained a barrier for many operators. At ST Engineering iDirect, we are addressing these challenges through our cloud-native Intuition system, which provides access to the 5G Core in two ways: Telcos can either use their existing satcom networks (non-3GPP networks) through our innovative Satellite Interworking Gateway function, or they can use Intuition’s native 5G NTN architecture with a gNodeB, 5G UEs, and 5G NR waveforms. We are also building hybrid 5G UEs to allow for seamless, hybrid roaming between terrestrial and satellite networks. Telcos can build their own standalone architectures, work with satellite operators, reach roaming agreements with other providers, or use service models. Providing business model flexibility will be key.
“Telcos/MNOs would benefit from running NTN networks as an extension of their terrestrial networks, while maintaining the customer experience and opening opportunities to offer tailored services with specific performance guarantees”
By adhering to 3GPP standards, we ensure interoperability and scalability, reduce vendor lock-in and legacy infrastructure dependency, and enable MNOs to unlock the full potential of 5G NTN with the appropriate business model that best fits their go-to-market plans.
GK: Which 5G NTN use cases do you believe will scale first—IoT, backhaul, direct-to-device, critical infrastructure, or something else—and can you share any concrete examples or pilots that demonstrate real customer value?
CH: The most scalable 5G NTN use cases for Satellite Operators, Service Providers, and Telcos in the near term include the resiliency of critical infrastructure, mobility services for the aviation and maritime industries, and enterprise-grade applications. These use cases address specific market demands and offer significant opportunities for operators and enterprises to expand their reach and capabilities.
The resiliency of critical infrastructure is a key area where 5G NTN is poised to deliver transformative value. Enterprises in sectors such as energy, banking, and logistics can deploy mission-critical applications with greater confidence, ensuring secure and reliable connectivity in remote or underserved locations. Governments can also leverage 5G NTN to enhance public safety systems, national security, and disaster response capabilities. The ability to provide resilient, high-performance connectivity in challenging environments is a game-changer for these industries, enabling them to operate efficiently and securely.
Enterprise-grade applications are emerging as another significant use case for 5G NTN. By integrating satellite and terrestrial networks, operators can extend secure, high-performance connectivity to remote sites, enabling enterprises to adopt advanced technologies such as digital twins, IoT, and real-time data analytics. This capability is particularly valuable for industries such as mining, agriculture, and manufacturing, where reliable connectivity is essential for optimizing operations and driving innovation.
Mobility services for the aviation and maritime industries are another area where 5G NTN is set to thrive. Seamless connectivity across global routes will revolutionize trade, tourism, and logistics, ensuring uninterrupted service for passengers and operators. For example, hybrid roaming capabilities enabled by 5G NTN allow devices to switch seamlessly between terrestrial and satellite networks, providing consistent connectivity for aircraft, ships, and other mobile devices. This ensures that passengers and operators remain connected.
A concrete example of 5G NTN in action is ST Engineering iDirect’s Intuition ground system, which has been deployed in proof-of-concepts (POCs) to demonstrate hybrid roaming capabilities.
The first POC demonstrates non-3GPP access to the 5G Core, where satellite systems are integrated using our Satellite Interworking Gateway (SIG) and an Access Gateway Function (AGF). This solution enables existing satellite ground systems to connect to the 5G Core, supporting identity management, billing, and consistent traffic policies, all while leveraging satellite-specific waveforms like DVB-S2X and MX-DMA MRC without requiring immediate infrastructure overhauls.
The second POC focuses on inter-provider roaming, enabling seamless user mobility between different satellite networks operated by separate providers. This capability mirrors terrestrial roaming agreements, breaking down silos between providers and allowing uninterrupted services across network boundaries.
Our next POC will demonstrate our native 5G NTN system in action. Built on satellite-optimized gNodeB and 5G NR, and using 5G UEs, we will showcase hybrid roaming between satellite and terrestrial networks.
GK: As the industry moves towards 3GPP-aligned 5G NTN and direct-to-device services, what technical milestones and ecosystem partnerships are most critical in the next 2–3 years, and how is ST Engineering iDirect positioning itself within that standards landscape?
CH: The next two to three years are pivotal for the evolution of 5G NTN. Advancing 3GPP standards, particularly the development and adoption of Release 18 and beyond, is essential to ensuring interoperability and scalability. These standards will enable seamless integration between terrestrial and satellite networks, creating a unified communications fabric that supports both everyday and mission-critical applications.
Developing hybrid user equipment capable of seamless transitions between terrestrial and satellite networks is another critical milestone. This technology will ensure that end users enjoy uninterrupted connectivity, regardless of location or network type.
Enhancing satellite ground systems to support 5G NR over NTN, such as satellite-optimized gNodeB technology, is also a priority. This advancement will enable operators to deliver high-performance connectivity and support advanced use cases like network slicing and mobility.
5G NTN readiness for onboard processing capabilities within regenerative satellite architectures represents another critical milestone in advancing satellite networks. This will enable seamless interoperability and enhanced processing directly in orbit. By fostering collaborative partner ecosystems and embracing open standards, ST Engineering iDirect is driving innovation to build resilient, adaptive 5G NTN architectures.
“Advancing 3GPP standards, particularly the development and adoption of Release 18 and beyond, is essential to ensuring interoperability and scalability”
We are positioning ourselves as leaders in this space by actively participating in 3GPP working groups and collaborating with ecosystem partners to shape the future of 5G NTN. Our innovative solutions, such as cloud-native, multi-orbit ground systems and hybrid network and UE developments, enable satellite operators and MNOs to accelerate the adoption of 5G NTN solutions.
GK: In regions like the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia—where coverage gaps and rural connectivity remain key issues—how can 5G NTN practically help operators extend reach while still maintaining a viable business model?
CH: 5G NTN is a transformative solution for operators in regions with significant connectivity challenges. By integrating satellite technology with terrestrial networks, operators can overcome the limitations of traditional infrastructure and deliver reliable connectivity to underserved areas. Satellite technology provides the most practical means of connecting rural schools, clinics, and enterprises, bypassing the high costs and logistical challenges of terrestrial infrastructure. Operators can easily extend the same offerings beyond terrestrial coverage all while augmenting their centralized functions, such as 5G Core unified functions including billing, authentication, network control, mobility streamlining operations, reducing complexity and cutting costs. making it economically viable to serve low-revenue regions.
Furthermore, satellites act as a robust backup layer, ensuring network continuity during terrestrial outages or natural disasters. Additionally, operators can monetize satellite capacity by offering advanced services like network slicing for enterprise in remote areas and sovereign network capabilities for government customers, services that weren’t possible before.
GK: Looking ahead to 2030, what does a mature 5G/6G NTN environment look like to you, and what strategic steps should operators be taking today if they don’t want to be left behind in the satellite-enabled 5G era?
CH: By 2030, a mature 5G NTN environment will deliver a fully integrated satellite-terrestrial ecosystem, enabling seamless, resilient, and intelligent global connectivity. Satellite networks will complement terrestrial networks, providing ubiquitous coverage and ensuring connectivity in underserved and remote areas. Satellite-optimized gNodeB technology, matured 5G NR waveforms, and hybrid 5G user equipment will enable seamless transitions between terrestrial and satellite systems.
In the 6G era, AI-enabled automation will play an even greater role, driving innovation and unlocking new efficiencies—an evolution we at ST Engineering iDirect welcome, as we have been at the forefront of many AI-enabled proof-of-concepts (PoCs) focused on automation.
The integration of satellite and terrestrial networks is projected to generate $134 billion in technology and service revenue by 2033, according to the Analysys Mason, Satellite 5G and next-generation networks report.
This represents a substantial revenue opportunity that satellite operators, service providers, and MNOs must prepare to capitalize on. However, they must act now to avoid being left behind. Priorities should include unifying access to the 5G Core, adhering to 3GPP standards, leveraging satellites to enhance network resilience, adopting hybrid systems incrementally to minimize disruption, fostering ecosystem collaboration, and investing in AI-driven automation.
With each milestone—such as advancements in 3GPP Release 19, the maturation of 5G NR waveforms, hybrid UEs, and the incorporation of AI workflows—the industry moves closer to achieving a unified, intelligent communications fabric. Those who act decisively today will lead the satellite-enabled 5G/6G.
