5G NTN NB-IoT Feasibility Study


Assess the performance, capacity, and business potential of your NB-IoT NTN service before launch, with Gatehouse Satcom as your technical partner.


Using advanced modeling and simulation tools, we help you evaluate architecture choices, validate link performance, and build a data-backed case for investment and deployment.


Winding mountain path with autumn foliage.

De-risk your NTN investment with proven modeling and analysis

A 5G NTN NB-IoT Feasibility Study helps you make informed decisions before committing to development or deployment.

Using Gatehouse Satcom’s validated simulation frameworks, the study models the end-to-end performance of your NTN NB-IoT concept, from link-level physics to network behavior and business impact.

Typical modeled parameters

Calculates signal and noise margins across your orbit and service profile to predict realistic device connectivity and data rates. 

Assesses end‑to‑end delay across your target orbit to set clear expectations for alarm handling, reporting speed, and overall service responsiveness.

Maps how far and how reliably your service can reach by combining orbital geometry, elevation constraints, and real‑world device distribution.

Reveals how much traffic your system can truly support under realistic load, helping you understand usable throughput and future scaling potential.

Analyzes Doppler impacts across your orbit to ensure timing stability, robust uplink access, and consistent device performance in motion.

Identifies achievable data rates across transparent and regenerative payloads so you know exactly which message sizes and reporting intervals your service can deliver.

All modeled parameters and KPIs are tailored to your satellite configuration, spectrum, and performance objectives.

Comprehensive analysis for confident decision-making

Each 5G NTN NB-IoT Feasibility Study combines technical modeling, architectural evaluation, and business interpretation in a single structured process. Gatehouse Satcom works closely with your team to define objectives, simulate scenarios, and deliver results that support clear design or investment decisions.

Where feasibility becomes strategy

The 5G NTN NB-IoT Feasibility Study provides a decision foundation for organizations exploring or developing satellite based IoT services. Each study reflects your program stage and mission goals, helping you understand technical performance together with commercial potential.

Concept validation for new NTN services

Model the end to end performance of a proposed NB-IoT NTN service before committing to design or hardware. Simulate link conditions, coverage, and capacity to confirm that your concept is technically viable.

Confirms link budgets, coverage windows, and achievable connection rates. Gain early confidence and reduce uncertainty before moving into architecture definition or funding applications.

Earth with digital network overlay

Architecture trade off and optimization

Compare orbit types, payload modes, and network configurations to understand their technical and commercial impact. Use performance metrics to evaluate where the best balance lies.

Identify the configuration that provides optimal performance with manageable complexity and cost.

Partner and investor assurance

Use study outputs to present a credible, data based story to partners, stakeholders, or investors. Demonstrate maturity, readiness, and objective validation of your NTN concept.

Strengthen your business case with verified data and independent evaluation.

Roadmap alignment and risk assessment

Align your program with 3GPP NTN progress and emerging ecosystem developments. Highlight risks early and ensure your direction remains consistent with the standards.

Reduce program risk and maintain a roadmap that stays relevant throughout standard evolution.

Process and Output

We model the complete NB-IoT over NTN stack - from physical link behaviour to RAN-level performance outcomes.

Input

System modeling

Output

Customer Needs & Information

Technology + Goals + Expected Outcomes

System Knowledge

Your existing NB-IoT setup or desired to-be structure

Standardization Participation

The current 5G standards

System Model & Simulations

Analysis - Evaluation - Recommendations

Feasibility Study Report

Includes model assumptions, scenario definitions, KPI maps, and iteration notes as applicable.

Input

  • Orbit and geometry (LEO, MEO, GEO) and coverage targets
  • Spectrum and bandwidth, including regulatory constraints
  • Power and antenna parameters (EIRP, HPBW, G/T or NF)
  • Traffic model and UE density
  • Target KPIs (coverage, throughput, latency, connection rate)
  • Target environment and propagation assumptions (e.g., urban/suburban/rural/oceanic fading)

System Modeling

  • Link budgets (uplink and downlink), fading and NTN channel models
  • 5G NTN procedure timing (RACH, paging, DONAS, EDT)
  • KPI estimation across coverage, throughput, connection rate, and latency
  • Adjust antenna patterns, power, beams, and RAN parameters
  • Compare architectural options and configurations
  • Identify bottlenecks and performance trade-offs
  • Capacity estimation based on the traffic model
  • Data-rate expectations and MCS/repetition profiles (where applicable)

Output

  • KPI maps and capacity or connection-rate envelopes
  • Link-budget tables and throughput ranges
  • Recommended configurations for pilot or demo
  • Optional emulation-ready parameters for lab or in-orbit validation
  • Trade-off analysis and capacity estimates based on your scenarios and traffic model

Perspectives

Validated in real-world deployments

  • The Gatehouse Satcom technical and program management support has been excellent. No obvious areas for improvement.

    Myriota
    Position/Company
  • The Gatehouse team has been a great partner. They have operated like a partner and not a vendor and have been open to feedback and provided own feedback as well.

    Iridium
    Position
    • 0+

      Simulations run

    • 0+

      Completed studies

    • 0+

      Projects live

FAQ

Frequently asked question on the subject of 5G NTN NB-IoT Feasibility Study

The feasibility study is designed for satellite operators, service providers, system integrators, and technology investors preparing or exploring a 5G NTN NB‑IoT service. It is relevant both in early concept phases when key assumptions need validation and in later stages when architecture decisions, performance expectations, and commercial viability must be confirmed before moving toward deployment.

The study provides evidence‑based insight into expected performance, system behavior, and architectural trade‑offs under real NTN conditions. By combining standards‑aligned modeling with proven simulation frameworks, it highlights limitations, dependencies, and cost drivers early. This allows you to avoid redesigns, delays, and misaligned investments at later stages.

All assumptions are grounded in 3GPP specifications and Gatehouse Satcom’s hands‑on experience with NTN testing, demonstrations, and system implementations. The models reflect practical satellite characteristics such as latency, link budgets, Doppler behavior, and coverage dynamics. This ensures that results align closely with what can be achieved in real deployments.

The study supports confident decisions on system architecture, technology readiness, performance feasibility, and roadmap priorities. It provides a shared and validated basis for aligning technical and commercial stakeholders on whether, when, and how to proceed with a 5G NTN NB‑IoT service.

The outputs are structured to support external communication and assurance. They can be shared with partners, used in discussions with regulators, and included in investor or stakeholder evaluations. This demonstrates that key technical and commercial risks have been thoroughly analyzed and provides a credible foundation for next‑step decisions.

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Want a closer look at a Feasibility Study?

Raphaela Teixeira
Sales Executive

If you are evaluating concepts, comparing architecture options, or preparing for early design decisions, we can help clarify what a feasibility study can deliver for your project.

Reach out directly or fill in the form to begin the conversation.

Request at meeting at 5G NTN NB-IoT Feasibility Study

 

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