5G NR Non-Terrestrial Networks: From Early Results to the Road Ahead

Mattia Figaro; Francesco Rossato; Marco Giordani; Alessandro Traspadini; Takayuki Shimizu; Chinmay Mahabal; Sanjeewa Herath; Chunghan Lee; Dogan Kutay Pekcan; Michele Zorzi

5G NR Non-Terrestrial Networks: From Early Results to the Road Ahead

Networking and Internet Architecture 2026-01-19 v2 Emerging Technologies

Authors: Mattia Figaro , Francesco Rossato , Marco Giordani , Alessandro Traspadini , Takayuki Shimizu , Chinmay Mahabal , Sanjeewa Herath , Chunghan Lee , Dogan Kutay Pekcan , Michele Zorzi

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Abstract

This paper overviews the 3GPP 5G NR-NTN standard, detailing the evolution from Rel. 18 to 19 and innovations for Rel. 20. Using realistic ns-3 simulations validated against 3GPP calibration data, we evaluate various satellite network configurations. The results highlight the potential of NTNs to extend wireless connectivity to remote areas, serve requests during emergency, and alleviate terrestrial network congestion.

Keywords

5G NR non-terrestrial networks 3GPP standardization satellite communications ns-3 simulation

Cite

@article{arxiv.2601.04882,
  title  = {5G NR Non-Terrestrial Networks: From Early Results to the Road Ahead},
  author = {Mattia Figaro and Francesco Rossato and Marco Giordani and Alessandro Traspadini and Takayuki Shimizu and Chinmay Mahabal and Sanjeewa Herath and Chunghan Lee and Dogan Kutay Pekcan and Michele Zorzi},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2601.04882},
  year   = {2026}
}

Comments

8 pages, 2 figures. This paper has been accepted to npj Wireless Technology for publication

5G NR Non-Terrestrial Networks: From Early Results to the Road Ahead

Abstract

Keywords

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