ST Engineering iDirect and Capgemini announced a collaboration to develop a cloud-native 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) satellite base station aimed at accelerating standards-based satellite and terrestrial network integration. The companies are targeting seamless interoperability between satellite systems and 3GPP-compliant 5G core networks, positioning the solution for operator and enterprise adoption.
The collaboration centers on a satellite-optimized Radio Access Technology (RAT) integrated into ST Engineering iDirect’s Intuition ground system. The base station uses Capgemini’s gNodeB software stack to manage and control communications between 5G devices and the 5G core, while incorporating satellite-specific optimizations to address latency, coverage, and spectrum constraints unique to space-based connectivity. The design enables native 3GPP access over satellite links and supports interoperability with terrestrial 5G deployments.
Capgemini contributes its 5G software capabilities, including gNodeB support for transparent and regenerative satellite modes, as well as operation across FR1 and FR2 frequency bands. Combined with ST Engineering iDirect’s satellite ground infrastructure, the solution is designed to support global scalability, roaming, and extended coverage for hybrid terrestrial-satellite networks.
- Collaboration focuses on a cloud-native 5G NTN satellite base station
- Integration of Capgemini’s gNodeB stack with ST Engineering iDirect’s Intuition ground system
- Native 3GPP access to the 5G core over satellite links
- Support for transparent and regenerative satellite operation
- FR1 and FR2 band support, including millimeter-wave frequencies
- Designed for interoperability with terrestrial 5G networks and global roaming
“By combining our advanced satcoms technology with Capgemini’s expertise in 5G technology, we are delivering a solution that meets the evolving needs of operators and enterprises,” said Sridhar Kuppanna, Chief Technology Officer at ST Engineering iDirect.
🌐 Analysis
The collaboration aligns with broader industry momentum behind 3GPP-based NTN architectures, as satellite operators, network vendors, and cloud providers work to integrate space assets into mainstream 5G and future 6G networks. For ST Engineering iDirect, the effort builds on its hybrid 5G strategy, while Capgemini continues to expand its role in telecom software platforms that span terrestrial and non-terrestrial domains, alongside similar initiatives from vendors supporting Release 17 and Release 18 NTN specifications.