Square Peg Communications and VIAVI Solutions Join Forces to Advance 5G NTN Testing

Why It Matters

The alliance provides the industry with the only turnkey lab environment that can faithfully reproduce both terrestrial and space‑based 5G conditions, reducing costly field trials and speeding deployment of next‑generation connectivity services.

Key Takeaways

• Square Peg and VIAVI combine satellite emulation with wireless test tools.
• RLS‑2100 emulator paired with TM500 enables end‑to‑end 5G NTN validation.
• Partnership addresses Doppler shift, latency, and handover challenges for LEO.
• Solution helps chipset makers and operators de‑risk product development.
• Accelerates time‑to‑market for Direct‑to‑Device and hybrid terrestrial‑satellite services.

Pulse Analysis

The rollout of 5G non‑terrestrial networks is reshaping the telecom landscape, as operators look to augment terrestrial coverage with low‑Earth‑orbit (LEO) satellites and integrated space‑ground services. While 3GPP standards now accommodate these hybrid architectures, they also introduce performance metrics—such as extreme Doppler shifts, multi‑second propagation delays, and dynamic handovers—that differ markedly from conventional cellular testing. Industry analysts predict that by 2028, NTN traffic could represent up to 15% of global 5G data, creating a pressing need for precise, repeatable validation tools.

Testing has traditionally been siloed: satellite engineers rely on channel emulators, whereas mobile‑network vendors use RF test sets designed for ground‑based cells. The Square Peg‑VIAVI partnership bridges this divide by integrating the RLS‑2100’s high‑fidelity satellite channel modeling with the TM500’s comprehensive 3GPP protocol stack testing. This synergy allows developers to simulate a full 5G NTN stack—from gNodeB signaling to user‑equipment behavior—under controlled lab conditions. The combined platform also supports hybrid scenarios, enabling seamless verification of handovers between terrestrial towers and moving satellites, a capability that was previously only achievable through costly field trials.

For the business ecosystem, the joint solution translates into faster product cycles and lower R&D expenditures. Chipset manufacturers can certify compliance before silicon tape‑out, device makers can validate antenna performance across orbital dynamics, and operators can pre‑emptively assess network resilience. By de‑risking the validation phase, the partnership shortens time‑to‑market for services such as Direct‑to‑Device broadband and mission‑critical IoT, giving early adopters a competitive edge in a market poised for rapid growth. As 5G NTN deployments accelerate, the Square Peg‑VIAVI offering is likely to become a de‑facto standard for end‑to‑end testing.