By Daniel Gizinski and Naresh Jain.
The satellite industry is on the brink of a major transformation. With the rise of 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), satellites are no longer limited to the niche role of providing backhaul for mobile networks in underserved areas. Satellites are increasingly providing 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) functionality to 5G enabled satellite terminals and off-the-shelf mobile devices (Direct-to-Device or D2D). This transformation promises to extend secure, high-speed connectivity to virtually every corner of the globe, serving remote villages, manned and unmanned aircraft, maritime users, remote oil and gas and mining facilities to contested battlefields. But to realize this vision, we must build systems that are not only innovative, but also resilient, secure, and ready for real-world demands.
At Comtech, we have spent decades delivering mission-critical communications solutions to some of the world’s most demanding customers. We understand what it takes to make secure connectivity work—anywhere, anytime, under any conditions.
What Is 5G NTN?
5G NTN is integrating satellites into the global 5G ecosystem. Thanks to new standards from the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), satellites can use the same protocols and waveforms as terrestrial mobile networks. That means smartphones, tablets, and IoT devices could connect directly to satellites without needing special terminals.
This capability is being rolled out in phases. 3GPP Release 17 introduced the first specifications for satellite-based 5G for the New Radio (5G NR) air interface and narrowband IoT (NB-IoT). Release 18 is enhancing support for mobility, power efficiency and throughput. Release 19, now in development, is expected to enable enhancements like onboard processing and inter-satellite links, which will improve security, reduce latency, increase coverage and improve overall performance.
Why It Matters
The potential impact of 5G NTN is enormous. For commercial markets, it opens access to billions of mobile devices in areas where traditional infrastructure does not reach—creating the potential for ubiquitous global coverage. For governments and defense agencies, it offers a new layer of resilient, redundant communications that are vital in emergencies or contested environments – with a standards-based approach that eases collaboration across coalition forces. And for policymakers, it provides a powerful tool to bridge the digital divide and expand secure connectivity to underserved communities.
In practical terms, a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite using Ka-band spectrum could deliver 10s of Gbps of capacity with frequency reuse. A LEO constellation could deliver multiple Tbps of network capacity. This enables broadband-like performance from space. And because 5G NTN uses same protocols as terrestrial networks, it enables seamless convergence with existing terrestrial infrastructure and is more economical and scalable than building entirely new networks in remote and underserved regions.
Use of 3GPP standards enables multi-vendor networks, with seamless mobility and roaming for aero and maritime users across the globe.
5G capabilities like network slicing and edge computing allow for delivering tailored and differentiated services to wide range of users using same network infrastructure, greatly improving the business case.
The Technology Behind It
There are two main ways satellites can support 5G. In the transparent model, satellites act as relays, sending signals to ground stations for processing. This approach is simpler and can work with some existing satellites. In the regenerative model, satellites process data onboard (“cell tower in space”) by demodulating, decoding, and routing traffic in space. This reduces latency and improves security, scalability and efficiency but requires advanced payloads and onboard computing.
Both models require ground systems that are flexible, scalable, secure, and software-defined. They must support dynamic spectrum access, seamless handovers between satellite and terrestrial networks, and integration with the 5G core.
Comtech’s Role
At Comtech, we are building the infrastructure that makes 5G NTN possible. Our Digital Common Ground (DCG) software-defined architecture supports flexible hybrid networks that are versatile, secure, and scalable and can rapidly adapt to changing mission requirements.
Our software-defined, Digital IF modems provide the ideal platform for hosting 3GPP protocol stacks and multiple waveforms including 5G NR and classic SATCOM waveforms for interoperability with legacy platforms currently deployed in theatre. They can operate across multiple constellations and frequency bands, including L, S, Ku, and Ka-band, and are engineered to meet high performance, low latency and high-throughput, demands of next-generation networks.
Our Digital IF digitizer and channelizer products bridge the gap between legacy analog infrastructure and modern cloud native architectures enabling seamless transformation.
Our systems are security-hardened to meet the needs of military and critical infrastructure users. And with over 30 years of experience, we have earned a reputation for delivering reliable, protected, and differentiated satellite and space communications technologies that perform in the world’s harshest environments.
Policy and Spectrum: A Shared Responsibility
As satellite and terrestrial networks begin to share spectrum, particularly in Ku and Ka-bands, coordination becomes not just important but essential. Without clear frameworks for coexistence, the risk of interference increases, potentially undermining the reliability and performance of both systems.
Policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders must work together to ensure that spectrum is allocated and managed in a way that supports innovation while protecting operational integrity. This includes developing harmonized licensing frameworks, advancing interference mitigation strategies, and accelerating regulatory timelines to keep pace with technological progress.
Global collaboration is especially critical. Satellite networks do not stop at national borders, and neither should the policies that govern them. International coordination through bodies like the ITU, as well as regional and national regulators, will be key to ensuring that 5G NTN can scale effectively and equitably.
Comtech supports a forward-looking, collaborative approach to policy. We believe that open standards, interoperability, and security must be foundational to any global NTN deployment. As a company that has long supported both commercial and government missions, we understand the importance of aligning technical innovation with regulatory clarity and national priorities.
What This Means for Comtech Stakeholders
The emergence of 5G NTN is more than a technological milestone. It is a strategic opportunity that touches every part of Comtech’s ecosystem.
For investors, it signals a significant growth frontier. As satellite becomes an integral part of the global 5G infrastructure, Comtech is positioned to capture value across both commercial and government markets. Our investments in software-defined, flexible, highly scalable, interoperable, and secure communications systems align directly with where the industry is headed and where demand is growing.
For customers, it means access to new capabilities that extend connectivity to the edge, whether that is a remote village, a maritime vessel, or a forward operating base. Comtech’s solutions are designed to deliver high-throughput, low-latency, and secure communications in the most challenging environments, enabling mission success and operational continuity.
For our partners, it opens the door to deeper collaboration. As the satellite and mobile ecosystems converge, Comtech is committed to building open, standards-based solutions that integrate seamlessly with broader networks. We believe in co-creating value through shared innovation, interoperability, and long-term alignment.
And for our employees, it is a chance to be part of something transformative. We are not just adapting to change. We are helping lead it. The work we do today is shaping the future of global communications, and every engineer, technologist, and team member at Comtech plays a vital role in that mission.
A Call to Action
The promise of 5G NTN is real, but it will not happen automatically. It will take technical leadership, policy alignment, and strategic partnerships across the satellite, mobile, and government sectors.
At Comtech, we are not just preparing for this future. We are helping to build it. We invite our partners, customers, and collaborators to join us in shaping a 5G NTN ecosystem that is resilient, secure, and inclusive—one that delivers on its promise for today’s world and tomorrow’s missions.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information in this blog post contains statements that are forward-looking in nature and involve certain significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and performance could differ materially from such forward-looking information. The Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings identify many such risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking information in this press release is qualified in its entirety by the risks and uncertainties described in such Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
