Global – October 29, 2026 -- Some 88% of 350 telecom decision-makers surveyed plan to increase spending on satellite technologies over the next five years, according to research commissioned by ST Engineering iDirect, which is promoting hybrid architectures as the fastest route to 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) deployment.
Survey of 350 executives across seven markets shows broad satcom backing
The global survey covered mobile network operators, infrastructure providers and cloud service companies. Some 95% called satcom essential or important to seamless global connectivity, and 93% expect satellite to play a bigger role in their business.
Expanding coverage ranks high on the agenda: 22% named 5G expansion as their biggest technology focus for the next 12 months, and 19% already see 5G NTN as a future growth opportunity.
Two integration paths let operators connect satellite networks to the 5G core
The first path serves satellite operators that want to keep their existing non-3GPP infrastructure. ST Engineering iDirect demonstrated its 3GPP-based Satellite Interworking Gateway (SIG) at WSBW. The SIG acts as an intermediary between non-3GPP networks and 5G networks via the AGF. Operators keep their current satellite waveforms while gaining access to 5G Core efficiencies, non-3GPP inter-provider roaming and new revenue opportunities.
The second path uses native 5G NR NTN architecture, with a satellite-optimized gNodeB and the 3GPP 5G New Radio waveform connecting 5G user equipment to the network. According to the author, Shravan K Gaddam, VP Engineering in the CTO Office, telcos prefer this model because it fits their standards-based RAN architecture and simplifies roaming.
Cost, legacy systems and multi-vendor interoperability remain the main barriers
Current satcom platforms, terrestrial cores and management systems were not designed to work as a single environment, Gaddam writes. He argues that full replacement is unrealistic and that hybrid models avoid it by using standards-based interfaces to link satellite networks with 5G cores. Selection criteria include support for 3GPP-aligned NTN standards, interoperability with existing satcom ground systems, migration toward virtualized and cloud-native deployments, and orchestration across terrestrial and multi-orbit networks.
ST Engineering iDirect is also working with partners including Capgemini on 5G NTN integration, with a focus on validating real-world deployment models and standards-based integration.