Satellite modem

ntn (non terrestrial network) modems provide connectivity through satellites and high altitude platforms, enabling data transmission outside terrestrial cellular coverage ntn was standardized by 3gpp (3rd generation partnership project) as part of 5g and lte specifications it uses the standard cellular stack, including sim/esim authentication, roaming, and regular ip traffic the ntn market is currently transitioning from early pilot deployments to the first commercial rollouts the technology is generally divided into two main categories nb ntn (narrowband non terrestrial network) — a satellite extension of nb iot / lte m designed for low bandwidth iot applications such as telemetry, asset tracking, and remote sensors this is currently the most mature part of the ntn technology commercial embedded nb ntn modules are already available, for example quectel bg770a sn https //www quectel com/product/bg770a sn satellite communication module/ m 2 modules are not yet available, but are expected to appear within the next few years nr ntn (new radio non terrestrial network) — full broadband satellite 5g the technology is only beginning to enter early commercial deployment qualcomm has announced the x105 https //www qualcomm com/news/releases/2026/03/qualcomm announces 5g advanced leap with qualcomm x105 5g modem a unified terrestrial + satellite modem supporting lte/5g cellular networks, satellite nr ntn and nb ntn connectivity and includes gnss receiver for positioning commercial availability of 5g + ntn modems, including m 2 modules, is expected within the next several years