5G NTN Backhaul Market Size, Share, Opportunities, And Trends By Architecture (Antenna Unit (AU), Radio Unit (RU)), By User Case (eMBB, MMTC, URLLC), By Platform (UAS Platform (LEO Satellite, MEO Satellite, GEO Satellite)), By Location (Urban, Rural, Remote, Isolated), By End-Use (Space, Ground, Air, Maritime), And By Geography - Forecasts From 2024 To 2029

The global 5G Non-Terrestrial Networking (NTN) backhaul Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 59.38% to reach US$2,190.973 million by 2029, from US$213.043 million in 2024.

What are the 5G NTN Backhaul market growth drivers?

• Emergence of 5G technology

The advent of 5G technology has unlocked new opportunities to connect individuals and devices globally, 5G networks require substantial backhaul capacity, especially in configurations with numerous small cells. Satellite networks can serve as a centralized backhaul solution for tasks such as traffic offloading, edge processing, and resource management. Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) systems can fulfill the need for ubiquitous connectivity by offering extensive coverage and guaranteeing service availability, continuity, and scalability. These NTN systems can also serve as an efficient backhaul solution for 5G networks, extending network reach, enhancing capacity, and ensuring dependable connectivity in remote or challenging-to-reach locations.

For instance:

• In February 2023, Radisys Corporation, the leading provider of open telecom solutions, announced its 5G NR software solution compliant with Release 17, expanding upon its award-winning Release 16 Software with advanced features such as non-terrestrial networks (NTN) and integrated access and backhaul (IAB) for greater coverage.

Growing number of telco-satellite operator partnership

The telecommunication industry has increased the use of satellite communication (satcom) as the companies see huge potential in the 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) services.

The emerging service focus of both industries has primarily been on delivering narrowband (NB)-NTN services directly to mobile and IoT devices via satellites. In the coming years with the growing NTN market, more and more mobile network operators are expected to look for satellite solutions to expand their coverage.

• In February 2024, Rohde & Schwarz and MediaTek partnered to demonstrate 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN), and new radio (NR) connections based on the latest 3GPP release 17 specification.  This demonstration highlighted the potential of extending fast and dependable 5G connectivity worldwide via satellite. The smartphone communicated data through a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite channel to ITRI's Next Generation NodeB network (gNB) test system.
  According to the recent data published by Global Mobile Suppliers, that there have been 49 publicly announced partnership among satellite operators, and telecommunication companies in 34 different countries.

REMARKABLE DEPLOYMENT OF 5G NTN IN SATELLITES

Satellites are becoming increasingly important in the realm of cellular communication technology, as highlighted in the 3GPP roadmap's Releases 16, 17, and 18. Using largely standard cellular devices, 5G NTN will enable seamless roaming between terrestrial and satellite networks. NTN has created an end-to-end mixed terrestrial and space lab-based testbed using a 5G network and real-world channel emulation hardware and software to accurately simulate a variety of orbit trajectories. The aerospace industry is expected to develop the fastest in this expanding market.

Based on the information provided by 5G Americas reports SpaceX leads the way in satellite deployment, with 12,000 satellites, followed by Starlink, which has deployed 3,580 LEO satellites. Satellite operators are actively using 5G NTN to enhance connectivity in the aerospace industry. This technology helps meet the increasing demand for high-speed and reliable connections, especially for streaming and data transmission in aviation and related sectors.

Emerging Opportunities in the 5G NTN Backhaul Market

Satellite-to-Cell phone

This service operates by sending signals from ground-based mobile cell towers to one or more satellites in orbit, which subsequently bounce the signals back down to Earth. Satellite mobile backhaul can serve as a backup for conventional terrestrial backhaul infrastructure. Notably, T-Mobile, SpaceX's Starlink, AST SpaceMobile, and Lynk are prominent participants in the satellite connectivity sector for standard mobile devices.

• In September 2023, AST SpaceMobile, Inc. achieved a groundbreaking milestone in telecommunications, marking the first-ever 5G connection for both voice and data between a standard, unaltered smartphone and a satellite in space. This remarkable achievement highlights the company's dedication to advancing satellite-based mobile communication technologies.
• In February 2023, Samsung Electronics announced its acquisition of standardized 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) modem technology. This technology enables direct communication between smartphones and satellites, particularly in remote regions. Samsung intends to incorporate this technology into its Exynos modem solutions, expediting the rollout of 5G satellite communications and preparing for the era of the Internet of Everything (IoE) driven by 6G technology.

What are the key geographical trends shaping the 5G NTN backhaul market?

• In September 2023, ZTE Corporation, a Chinese vendor, achieved an industry milestone by completing its 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) deployment for a marine setting. This deployment took place in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, in collaboration with China Telecom Zhejiang, China Telecom Satellite Communications, China Telecom R&D Institute, and SpaceIoT. ZTE's deployment allows for satellite-ground communication and data transmission in marine and remote island scenarios.
• In February 2023, MediaTek is set to showcase its groundbreaking 3GPP Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) technology at MWC in Barcelona, Spain. This technology introduces bidirectional satellite communication capabilities to smartphones, marking the beginning of a transformative era in connectivity and unlocking fresh opportunities across various industries.

Major Players in the 5G NTN Backhaul Market

Some of the leading players in the market include Qualcomm, Samsung, and MediaTek among others. The product offerings of the major corporations include the following:

COMPANY NAME	PRODUCT NAME	DESCRIPTION
Qualcomm	Qualcomm® 212S Modem	Qualcomm Technologies has recently introduced innovative 5G IoT-NTN modems in partnership with Skylo, a leading 5G NTN service provider. These modems are designed to deliver ultra-low power consumption and enhanced connectivity for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, functioning seamlessly across both satellite and cellular networks.
Keysight	S9110A	Samsung's RFICs function across a wide range of mmWave frequencies designated for 5G, offering strong transmit and receive capabilities while consuming minimal power. Building on the success of previous generations, the third-gen RFIC has been instrumental in deploying mmWave 5G for broadband and mobile services. This iteration will be integrated into the forthcoming 5G Compact Macro, facilitating dual-band support for the 28GHz and 39GHz spectrums.
MediaTek	MT6825	The MediaTek MT6825 stands out as the globe's inaugural commercially accessible 5G IoT-NTN chipset. This chipset boasts the capability to link up with Geosynchronous Equatorial Orbit (GEO) constellations, which can be effortlessly transformed into 3GPP NTN compliant networks—a resource now prevalent in orbit. To deliver a smooth user experience, MT6825 empowers devices to autonomously receive messages from satellites, eliminating the need for manual message checks, a distinction from competing solutions.

 

SEGMENTATION

• By Architecture
  • Antenna Unit (AU)
  • Radio Unit (RU)
• By User Case
  • eMBB
  • mMTC
  • URLLC
• By Platform
  • UAS Platform
    • LEO Satellite
    • MEO Satellite
    • GEO Satellite
• By Location
  • Urban
  • Rural
  • Remote
  • Isolated
• By End-Use
  • Space
  • Ground
  • Air
  • Maritime
• By Geography
  • Americas
  • USA
  • Others
  • EMEA
  • Germany
  • UK
  • Others
  • APAC
  • China
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Others

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Market Overview

1.2. Market Definition

1.3. Market Segmentation

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY  

2.1. Research Data

2.2. Assumptions

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

3.1. Research Highlights

4. MARKET DYNAMICS

4.1. Market Drivers

4.2. Market Restraints

4.3. Bandwidth Availability

4.4. Number of Users

5. GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS/POLICIES

6. 5G NON-TERRESTRIAL NETWORKING (NTN) MARKET, BY ARCHITECTURE 

6.1. Introduction

6.2. Antenna Unit (AU)

6.3. Radio Unit (RU)

7. 5G NON-TERRESTRIAL NETWORKING (NTN) MARKET, BY USE CASE

7.1. Introduction

7.2. eMBB

7.3. mMTC

7.4. URLLC

8. 5G NON-TERRESTRIAL NETWORKING (NTN) MARKET, BY PLATFORM

8.1. Introduction

8.2. UAS Platform

8.2.1. LEO Satellite

8.2.2. MEO Satellite

8.2.3. GEO Satellite

9. 5G NON-TERRESTRIAL NETWORKING (NTN) MARKET, BY LOCATION

9.1. Introduction

9.2. Urban

9.3. Rural

9.4. Remote

9.5. Isolated

10. 5G NON-TERRESTRIAL NETWORKING (NTN) MARKET, BY END-USE

10.1. Introduction

10.2. Space

10.3. Ground

10.4. Air

10.5. Maritime

11. 5G NON-TERRESTRIAL NETWORKING (NTN) MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY

11.1. Introduction

11.2. Americas

11.2.1. United States

11.2.2. Others

11.3. Europe, Middle East and Africa

11.3.1. Germany

11.3.2. UK

11.3.3. Others

11.4. Asia Pacific

11.4.1. China

11.4.2. Japan

11.4.3. South Korea

11.4.4. Others

12. RECENT DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENTS

13. COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT AND ANALYSIS

13.1. Major Players and Strategy Analysis

13.2. Vendor Competitiveness Matrix

14. COMPANY PROFILES

14.1. Qualcomm

14.2. Gatehouse Satcom A/S

14.3. MediaTek Inc.

14.4. Samsung

14.5. OQ Technology

Qualcomm

Gatehouse Satcom A/S

MediaTek Inc.

Samsung

OQ Technology