End-to-end validation of nxgsat’s 5G NR software-defined UE modem over a Ku-band GEO payload confirms 3GPP Release 18 NTN readiness
Málaga, 9 June 2026 — nxgsat and the Universidad de Málaga (UMA) have successfully completed over-the-air testing of nxgsat’s 5G NR Software Defined Radio User Equipment (SDR UE) over a live transparent GEO satellite payload. The test marks a significant commercial milestone: the first end-to-end validation of a productised, standards-compliant 5G NTN modem over a real satellite environment.
The test was conducted in collaboration with the Mobile Networks and Software Reliability (MORSE) research group at ITIS Software, Universidad de Málaga. Delia Rico, Assistant Professor at the Universidad de Málaga, led the collaboration on behalf of MORSE and provided gateway infrastructure in Málaga, Spain. Together, the teams validated a full end-to-end 5G NTN link through a live satellite environment, demonstrating that 3GPP-standard NTN connectivity can be delivered today over existing satellite assets.
Testing was carried out over the Hispasat 30W-6C satellite using a transparent Ku-band payload. The campaign validated nxgsat’s 5G NR SDR UE under real-world satellite channel conditions, confirming its ability to connect, authenticate, and carry live traffic in a 3GPP NTN architecture.
The test was conducted in collaboration with the Mobile Networks and Software Reliability (MORSE) research group at ITIS Software, Universidad de Málaga. Delia Rico, Assistant Professor at the Universidad de Málaga, led the collaboration on behalf of MORSE and provided gateway infrastructure in Málaga, Spain. Together, the teams validated a full end-to-end 5G NTN link through a live satellite environment, demonstrating that 3GPP-standard NTN connectivity can be delivered today over existing satellite assets.
Testing was carried out over the Hispasat 30W-6C satellite using a transparent Ku-band payload. The campaign validated nxgsat’s 5G NR SDR UE under real-world satellite channel conditions, confirming its ability to connect, authenticate, and carry live traffic in a 3GPP NTN architecture.
Key results demonstrated:
- Full end-to-end connectivity between UE and gNB over a live GEO satellite link
- Successful bring-up of the nxgsat 5G NR SDR UE — from initial logon through to end-to-end traffic — in a 3GPP NTN Release 18-compliant setup, including SIB19 handling and characterisation of satellite channel impact on the operational link
- A suite of functional and performance tests including HD video, voice calls, and high-throughput uplink and downlink data transfer
“This is an important milestone for nxgsat and for the broader deployment of 5G NTN over GEO infrastructure. The test confirms that our productised 5G NTN software-defined UE modem performs reliably over a transparent satellite payload and delivers end-to-end traffic. That is a major validation of the service readiness of our 5G NR NTN technology.” José Laffitte, COO, nxgsat
“Collaborating with nxgsat on this campaign allowed our team to apply MORSE’s research expertise to a real-world 5G NTN deployment scenario. The results reinforce the viability of standards-based 5G connectivity over existing satellite assets — and demonstrate exactly the kind of academic-industry collaboration that the EU-funded 6G-SANDBOX project was built to accelerate. Validating 5G NTN over a live GEO satellite is a direct demonstration of what our experimental infrastructure at UMA makes possible.” Pedro Merino Professor and Director of ITIS Software, Universidad de Málaga — Technical Director, 6G-SANDBOX
The results have implications beyond the lab. For satellite operators, the test confirms that 5G NTN services can be delivered over existing Ku-band transparent payloads — without requiring new space infrastructure. For telcos and mobile network operators, it validates a standards-based path to extending 5G coverage globally via satellite. For government and defence customers, it demonstrates resilient, interoperable connectivity that works across orbits and network types.
The successful campaign demonstrates that nxgsat’s 5G NTN software UE modem is commercially ready to support customers deploying interoperable, resilient, and secure satellite communications across networks and orbits. UMA and nxgsat demonstrated the technology live at the EuCNC & 6G Summit 2026, last week (2–5 June 2026) in Málaga, Spain.
The successful campaign demonstrates that nxgsat’s 5G NTN software UE modem is commercially ready to support customers deploying interoperable, resilient, and secure satellite communications across networks and orbits. UMA and nxgsat demonstrated the technology live at the EuCNC & 6G Summit 2026, last week (2–5 June 2026) in Málaga, Spain.
ABOUT NXGSAT
nxgsat is a Belgian spacetech company building the next generation of interoperable satellite communications through 5G/6G NTN standards. Founded in January 2024 and backed by PMV and imec, nxgsat delivers software-defined modem technology that enables seamless connectivity across terrestrial and satellite networks.
nxgsat’s 5/6G NTN technology is fully optimised for power and bandwidth efficiency, software-defined for deployment on COTS hardware and System-on-Chip (SoC), and supports LEO, MEO, GEO, and multi-orbit services. nxgsat collaborates with the European Space Agency and leads the 5/6G NTN Hub Belgium consortium at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
ABOUT UMA MORSE
The Mobile Networks and Software Reliability (MORSE) research group is part of ITIS Software and the Universidad de Málaga, Spain. MORSE specialises in advanced mobile network technologies, software reliability, and next-generation communications research, with a focus on applied collaboration with industry. MORSE leads the UMA’s participation in the EU-funded 6G-SANDBOX project, which provides a complete 5G/6G experimental platform funded by the European Commission under the Smart Networks and Services (SNS) initiative to accelerate the development and testing of next-generation connectivity technologies.
nxgsat is a Belgian spacetech company building the next generation of interoperable satellite communications through 5G/6G NTN standards. Founded in January 2024 and backed by PMV and imec, nxgsat delivers software-defined modem technology that enables seamless connectivity across terrestrial and satellite networks.
nxgsat’s 5/6G NTN technology is fully optimised for power and bandwidth efficiency, software-defined for deployment on COTS hardware and System-on-Chip (SoC), and supports LEO, MEO, GEO, and multi-orbit services. nxgsat collaborates with the European Space Agency and leads the 5/6G NTN Hub Belgium consortium at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
ABOUT UMA MORSE
The Mobile Networks and Software Reliability (MORSE) research group is part of ITIS Software and the Universidad de Málaga, Spain. MORSE specialises in advanced mobile network technologies, software reliability, and next-generation communications research, with a focus on applied collaboration with industry. MORSE leads the UMA’s participation in the EU-funded 6G-SANDBOX project, which provides a complete 5G/6G experimental platform funded by the European Commission under the Smart Networks and Services (SNS) initiative to accelerate the development and testing of next-generation connectivity technologies.