On Thursday, February 26, 2026, Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ: GILT) announced the successful end-to-end demonstration of 3GPP-compliant 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) connectivity using a Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite.
The milestone validates the delivery of standardized 5G services over existing high-orbit infrastructure, marking a technical step toward the seamless integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks.
Overcoming High-Orbit Latency
The demonstration confirmed critical 5G NTN capabilities required for operation in GEO, where signal delay presents a significant hurdle for standard 5G protocols. Gilat’s validation included 5G NTN VSAT and Hub technologies, alongside specific latency compensation and protocol optimizations designed to handle the round-trip delay inherent to geostationary orbits.
The trial utilized Gilat’s SkyEdge IV platform, which is designed to support 5G standards across multiple waveforms and orbits. This standardized approach is intended to allow mobile network operators (MNOs) to extend coverage to remote areas without requiring proprietary hardware for the 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) interface.
Standardizing Global Connectivity
“Our vision is to implement 3GPP standards for GEO, MEO, and LEO orbits,” said Aharon Mullokandov, Chief R&D Officer at Gilat. “Satellite and mobile network operators will be able to expand coverage, improve resilience, and accelerate service deployment. Gilat continues to advance its 5G NTN roadmap with further trials and commercial solutions across all satellite environments.”
The successful GEO test follows a period of strategic portfolio expansion for the company, including the acquisition of Stellar Blu by CEO Adi Sfadia to bolster in-flight connectivity and electronically steered antenna (ESA) capabilities.
Future 5G NTN Roadmap
Gilat plans to continue its 5G NTN development through additional ecosystem partnerships and trials. The company’s roadmap focuses on delivering commercial solutions that allow MNOs to provide ubiquitous connectivity in regions where traditional terrestrial cellular coverage is unavailable or impractical. Further updates on the 5G NTN integration are expected as Gilat prepares for upcoming industry showcases later this year.
