Radisys and AccelerComm have expanded their 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) collaboration, integrating NB-IoT NTN capabilities into an existing NR-NTN radio access network (RAN) framework to support satellite-based IoT and broadband services.
The development is aimed at satellite network operators (SNOs) and NTN solution providers seeking to deliver low-power, wide-area IoT connectivity using spectrum already allocated for 5G NR-NTN broadband services.
The integration combines Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) NTN with New Radio NTN (NR-NTN), enabling a unified satellite 5G platform capable of supporting both massive IoT deployments and higher-throughput broadband services. The pre-integrated software supports both transparent and regenerative payload architectures and is designed for deployment across low Earth orbit (LEO), geostationary orbit (GEO) and high-altitude platform systems (HAPS).
NB-IoT NTN is positioned as a power-efficient and cost-effective option for large-scale IoT use cases, including infrastructure monitoring, maritime and logistics tracking, disaster response and emergency communications. By leveraging existing 5G spectrum allocations, operators can potentially avoid additional spectrum licensing complexity while expanding service offerings.
The platform supports 3GPP Release 18 NB-IoT and Release 19 NR-NTN standards. NB-IoT operates in S and N bands with 180 kHz bandwidth and subcarrier spacing options of 15 and 3.75 kHz. NR-NTN support spans S, K, Ku and Ka bands with bandwidths ranging from 3 MHz to 400 MHz.
Additional features include support for extended Discontinuous Reception (eDRX) to enhance power efficiency, service link switchover and conditional handover capabilities under Release 18, and NB-IoT functions such as SIB-NB 31 and 32, half-duplex FDD uplink and downlink, and support for anchor and non-anchor carrier configurations.
Munish Chhabra, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Software and Services at Radisys, said the expanded capabilities allow the company to offer a unified NTN solution across both transparent and regenerative modes, complementing its terrestrial and private 5G portfolio.
David Helfgott, CEO of AccelerComm, noted that integrating NB-IoT with satellite broadband requires highly efficient physical layer performance due to power, spectrum and latency constraints inherent in satellite systems. AccelerComm contributes flight-proven 5G physical layer technology to the joint solution.
The move reflects broader industry efforts to standardise satellite-based 5G services within the 3GPP framework, enabling interoperability between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. As satellite operators seek to diversify revenue streams beyond broadband into IoT and machine-to-machine services, unified NTN platforms are emerging as a strategic enabler.
With demand growing for global connectivity in remote and maritime regions, the integration of NB-IoT NTN alongside broadband services may help satellite operators address both high-density data use cases and large-scale, low-power device ecosystems within a single architecture.
