GSA: 5G Non Terrestrial Networks, 5G SA and 5G Advanced Gain Momentum

Key Takeaways

• 97 operators in 70 countries plan LEO satellite D2D deployments.
• Skylo partners with Orange, Verizon, Vodafone IoT on standards‑based NTN.
• Sateliot raises $117 million Series C for IoT‑focused 5G satellite constellation.
• 184 operators in 74 countries invest in 5G SA, 28.5% of networks.
• 36 operators publicly commit to 5G Advanced; 11 networks already launched.

Pulse Analysis

The non‑terrestrial network (NTN) segment is moving from niche experiments to mainstream deployment. GSA’s latest figures reveal that 97 operators in 70 countries are committing capital to low‑earth‑orbit (LEO) satellite device‑to‑device technology, a shift driven by the emergence of 3GPP Release 17 specifications that harmonise satellite and terrestrial standards. Companies such as Skylo are leveraging these standards to secure partnerships with major carriers—Orange, Verizon and Vodafone IoT—while Amazon’s acquisition of Globalstar underscores the strategic value of spectrum assets tied to satellite constellations. Ongoing trials, including the ESA‑Airbus‑Eutelsat‑OneWeb collaboration, are testing Release 18 capabilities, and Sateliot’s $117 million Series C round highlights investor confidence in IoT‑centric satellite constellations.

On the ground, 5G standalone (SA) is gaining decisive traction. GSA reports 184 operators across 74 countries are rolling out SA networks, now accounting for 28.5% of all 5G deployments worldwide. This architecture separates the core from the radio access network, delivering lower latency, improved security and the ability to support advanced services such as network slicing. Parallel to this, 36 operators have publicly pledged investment in 5G Advanced, with eleven commercial launches already delivering features like enhanced mobile broadband, ultra‑reliable low‑latency communications and AI‑driven network optimization. The close relationship between SA and Advanced pathways suggests operators will quickly upgrade SA bases to unlock these capabilities.

The convergence of satellite‑based NTNs with 5G SA and Advanced networks promises a truly global, seamless connectivity fabric. Enterprises can expect broader coverage in remote or underserved regions, higher reliability through redundant pathways, and new use‑cases ranging from autonomous logistics to massive IoT sensor deployments. For carriers, the dual focus on spectrum acquisition and standards‑based integration reduces deployment risk while opening diversified revenue streams. As trials mature and device ecosystems catch up, the industry is poised for a rapid acceleration toward a hybrid 5G landscape that blends terrestrial speed with satellite reach.