A new 5G satellite technology was demonstrated today at the World Expo 2025 Singapore Pavilion in Osaka, Japan.

This technology aims to improve mobile connectivity in remote areas through a collaborative effort of academia and industry.

The research team includes the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), SKY Perfect JSAT, TMY Technology, Inc., Rohde & Schwarz, and VIAVI Solutions.

They showcased an end-to-end 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) transmission, marking the first cross-country 5G connection between Singapore and Japan using a geostationary (GEO) satellite.

The demonstration successfully transmitted a 5G signal from Singapore to a GEO satellite operated by JSAT.

🔗 Source: Singapore University of Technology and Design

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ From passive reflectors to integrated networks: satellite communications evolution reaches new milestone

The Singapore-Japan 5G NTN demonstration represents a pivotal advancement in a 65-year journey of satellite communications development.

This history began with Echo 1 in 1960, a simple 30-meter mylar balloon that passively reflected radio signals, marking the first successful satellite communication and enabling President Eisenhower to transmit the first voice message via satellite1.

Unlike early satellites that functioned as basic reflectors, today’s 5G NTN technology enables complex two-way data transfer and real-time video communication by integrating with existing geostationary satellites, demonstrating remarkable technological progression2.

The industry has evolved through distinct technological generations: from passive reflectors (Echo), to active transceiver satellites (Telstar 1 in 1962), to geostationary broadcast platforms (Syncom 3 in 1964), to today’s integrated network systems capable of supporting standardized 5G protocols3.

This latest breakthrough differs from previous advances by enabling regular mobile devices to connect directly to satellite networks rather than requiring specialized satellite phones, potentially democratizing access to global connectivity.

2️⃣ Rapid market growth signals convergence of terrestrial and space-based communication systems

The 5G NTN technology demonstration comes amid explosive market growth projections, with the sector expected to expand from $7.86 billion in 2024 to $46.53 billion by 2030, a compound annual growth rate of 34.30%4.

This growth is being driven by increasing recognition that truly global connectivity requires hybrid network architectures that combine terrestrial infrastructure with satellite capabilities to address coverage gaps in remote regions5.