The role of LEO satellites in 5G NTN – unlocking the future of connectivity

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites are reshaping the future of communication. Operating just 500–2,000 kilometers above Earth, they deliver low-latency services with latency close to terrestrial networks and bring global coverage within reach.

For mobile operators, enterprises, and governments, the true value of LEO isn’t just the satellites themselves – it’s the software intelligence that makes them work. With 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (5G NTN), satellites are no longer standalone infrastructure with separate, exclusive SatCom protocols and stacks. Instead, they are becoming part of the 5G ecosystem for cellular communication. At Gatehouse Satcom, our 5G NTN software provides the foundation for that integration, enabling LEO constellations to deliver reliable broadband, narrowband IoT, and mission-critical services worldwide.

Why LEO satellites stand out

Unlike geostationary satellites at ~36,000 km, LEO satellites orbit a few hundred to a couple of thousand kilometers above Earth and complete a lap in roughly 90–120 minutes. The shorter path length cuts free-space loss and slashes latency to tens of milliseconds, which is why LEO is attractive for interactive services and standards-based 5G NTN.

That proximity doesn’t automatically make terminals small, but it improves the link budget compared with GEO. For a given service and band, operators can trade that margin for lower EIRP, smaller apertures, or higher throughput – subject to frequency, waveform, and regulatory constraints. In practice this enables more efficient spectrum use and makes advanced waveforms (including 5G NR NTN and NB-IoT NTN) viable over LEO.

Coverage behaves very differently in LEO. Satellites sweep across the sky and beams move with them; continuous service comes from constellation density and precisely timed handovers between satellites and gateways. The price of low latency is higher dynamics: large Doppler shifts, time-varying delays, fast beam transitions, and moving “cells.” These are not edge cases – they’re the operating conditions. Networks must correct Doppler at the PHY, maintain timing advance, schedule resources under constant motion, and execute make-before-break handovers – so sessions survive each pass.

This is exactly where software determines real-world performance. Gatehouse Satcom’s 5G NTN NodeB software is designed to handle the demanding dynamics of LEO – while also supporting MEO and GEO constellations. It manages Doppler compensation, timing, mobility and beam management, and standards-compliant procedures – so operators can turn constellation scale into reliable coverage and capacity while staying aligned with evolving 3GPP releases.

Software as the enabler of 5G NTN

5G NTN extends terrestrial mobile standards into space, creating a unified global network. For LEO operators, compliance with 3GPP standards and interoperability with terrestrial systems are non-negotiable.

Gatehouse Satcom’s NodeB software for 5G NTN addresses these requirements by:

• Managing handovers between moving satellites and between space and ground networks.
• Supporting both broadband connectivity and narrowband IoT deployments within one framework.
• Validating performance through scalable real-world testing environments.

This software-first approach reduces risk, accelerates deployment, and ensures that satellite networks are continuously aligned with global 5G development.

Real-world applications of 5G NTN

The impact of combining LEO satellites with 5G NTN software spans multiple industries:

• Maritime and aviation – enabling seamless connectivity for vessels and aircraft across oceans and airspace.
• Emergency response – restoring secure communication when terrestrial networks are down.
• Industrial operations – connecting IoT devices and monitoring systems in remote locations such as mines, oil fields, or forestry operations.
• Global broadband access – extending service to underserved populations and closing the digital divide.

Each of these use cases relies not just on satellites in orbit, but on the software that ensures stable, standards-based service delivery.

Looking ahead

The future of satellite communications won’t be measured only by how many satellites are launched, but by how well those satellites deliver coverage, capacity, and seamless handovers – orchestrated by standards-based 5G NTN software.

Constellation size certainly matters: more satellites mean stronger coverage, higher capacity, and reduced service gaps. But scale alone is not enough. True success depends on software intelligence — from the radio protocol software that enables 3GPP-compliant communication to the orchestration layers that ensure interoperability, efficient resource use, and reliable performance across terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks.

At Gatehouse Satcom, we deliver the software foundation that turns LEO satellites into more than orbiting hardware – we help unlock the true promise of standardized 5G from space.

Raphaela Oliveira Teixeira, Sales Executive at Gatehouse Satcom, is helping businesses realize their 5G NTN strategies. Gatehouse Satcom is a full member of 3GPP and actively contributing to the standardization through extensive knowledge of satellite communication.

Want to know more about 5G NTN? Please contact Raphaela Oliveira Teixeira at [email protected] or connect on LinkedIn.