5G NTN Market Poised for Explosive Growth Amid Satellite Industry Boom

The global 5G non-terrestrial network market is entering a period of unprecedented expansion, projected to surge from USD 4.9 billion in 2024 to USD 42.1 billion by 2032, growing at a remarkable CAGR of 31% between 2025 and 2032. This exponential growth reflects a paradigm shift in global connectivity—extending 5G coverage beyond traditional terrestrial boundaries into space, skies, and seas.

5G NTN technologies leverage satellites, high-altitude platforms (HAPs), and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to deliver seamless, high-speed communications in remote, rural, and underserved regions worldwide. This transformative innovation bridges the digital divide, enhances defense communications, and supports the next wave of IoT-driven intelligence across industries.

Download free Report Sample Now

Revolutionizing Global Connectivity

The 5G NTN ecosystem is redefining what’s possible in telecommunications. By integrating Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations, operators can now deliver ultra-low latency, high-bandwidth coverage on a truly global scale.
Government initiatives and strategic investments in digital infrastructure and space technologies are further fueling market expansion, paving the way for disaster-resilient communication systems and next-generation data networks.

Key Market Trends and Growth Drivers

Software-Defined Networking (SDN) & Virtualization — The Next Frontier
The adoption of software-defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV) is transforming the way 5G NTN networks are managed, deployed, and scaled.

These software-centric architectures enable dynamic resource allocation, real-time network optimization, and cloud-native operations—reducing hardware dependence and operational costs while enhancing network agility.

By integrating AI and machine learning, operators gain intelligent network management capabilities that adapt automatically to traffic patterns, environmental changes, and service demands.

Satellite Industry Boom — The Backbone of 5G NTN

The surge in commercial satellite activity is laying the groundwork for 5G NTN expansion. In 2023 alone, a record 2,781 commercial satellites were launched—marking a 20% year-over-year increase—with the total number of active satellites reaching 9,691.

With LEO constellations leading the way, the satellite sector’s infrastructure investments and affordability improvements are rapidly enabling 5G NTN deployments across continents.
The commercial satellite launch market is expected to generate USD 8.5 billion by 2030, while 5G satellite communication services will reach an estimated USD 40.2 billion by 2032.

Market Challenges

Despite its momentum, the 5G NTN market faces high capital expenditure requirements. The costs of satellite manufacturing, launches, spectrum licensing, and maintenance remain significant barriers for smaller operators. However, ongoing innovation and collaboration across the aerospace, telecommunications, and defense industries are gradually mitigating these challenges.

Market Segmentation Insights

• Component:
• Hardware (45% market share, 2024) — Satellites, antennas, transceivers, and ground stations dominate current investments.
• Services (fastest-growing segment) — Network optimization, AI-driven analytics, and managed services will shape future growth.
• Platform:
• LEO Satellites hold the largest share with superior performance and latency.
• UAS Platforms expected to grow fastest, offering agile, on-demand connectivity for critical applications.
• Applications:
• Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) leads with 55% share in 2024.
• Massive Machine-Type Communications (mMTC) will grow fastest, driven by the rise of IoT devices projected to hit 40 billion by 2030.
• End-Use Industries:
• Aerospace & Defense remains the largest segment (35%), leveraging NTN for secure mission-critical communications.
• Maritime sector will grow fastest, enabled by NTN-powered vessel tracking, autonomous navigation, and offshore connectivity.

Regional Outlook

North America led the global market in 2024 with a 45% share, bolstered by U.S. government investments in broadband expansion and defense-grade satellite communications. Programs such as the FCC’s 5G Fund for Rural America and NASA’s NTN research initiatives are propelling domestic innovation.

Asia-Pacific, poised to record the highest CAGR through 2032, is rapidly scaling 5G NTN infrastructure across China, Japan, South Korea, and India. Large-scale investments in smart cities, IoT, and autonomous systems are driving adoption, especially in remote and rural regions.

Competitive Landscape

The 5G NTN market remains highly fragmented, with leading players innovating across satellite systems, hardware manufacturing, and service solutions.

Key industry participants include:

Qualcomm Technologies Inc., SoftBank Group Corporation, Thales Group, Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co KG, Keysight Technologies Inc., MediaTek Inc., ANRITSU CORPORATION, SES S.A., EchoStar Corporation, AST & Science LLC, Omnispace LLC, ZTE Corporation, Nelco Limited, Inmarsat Global Limited, and Spirent Communications plc.

Recent developments highlight the sector’s dynamism:

• OQ Technology launched two new LEO satellites—Tiger-7 and Tiger-8—to expand global IoT coverage.
• Gatehouse Satcom and Druid Software announced a partnership to enhance satellite-terrestrial network interoperability.
• Keysight Technologies and Capgemini SE validated a 5G NR RAN solution for NTN in compliance with 3GPP Release 17.
• Samsung Electronics introduced its first standardized 5G NTN modem enabling direct smartphone-to-satellite communication.
• Lockheed Martin completed the first demonstration of its regenerative NTN Satellite Base Station, signaling a major step toward space-based 5G infrastructure.