Keysight and Samsung Validate NR-NTN Connectivity in Band n252 at CES 2026
According to Techblog IEEE Communications Society, Keysight Technologies and Samsung Electronics have successfully demonstrated the first end-to-end New Radio Non-Terrestrial Network (NR-NTN) connection in 3GPP band n252 under Release 19 specifications. Conducted at CES 2026, this collaboration signifies a major leap forward in direct-to-cell satellite communications, validating satellite-to-satellite mobility and cross-vendor interoperability.
Breaking Down the Announcement
As part of the live trial, Keysight and Samsung utilized Samsung’s next-generation commercial NR modem chipset and Keysight’s NTN Network Emulator Solutions. The setup emulated multi-orbit low Earth orbit (LEO) scenarios, enabling complete end-to-end routing while supporting live user traffic across NTN links. This demonstration marks the first public confirmation of band n252 under operational NTN conditions, a spectrum band critical for global broadband and IoT initiatives.
The validation builds on prior achievements for bands n255 and n256, completing a trifecta of major frequency bands under NTN FR1 specifications. It provides industry players—ranging from modem vendors to satellite network operators and device manufacturers—with a robust framework for testing cross-band mobility, inter-satellite handovers, and overall radio performance. The setup complies with 3GPP Release 19 standards, accelerating the path to commercial NTN deployment anticipated within the next year.
Why This Matters for the Telecom Industry
This breakthrough underscores the growing momentum toward seamless terrestrial and non-terrestrial 5G integration. Band n252 serves as a key enabler for advanced NTN applications, including direct-to-cell connectivity, IoT device communications, and critical satellite-based services for emergency response and global broadband coverage. With large-scale NTN integration poised to scale from 2026, the potential market impact could be staggering. According to a report by Global Market Insights, the satellite broadband market is projected to exceed $50 billion annually by 2030.
Notably, this development heightens competition among satellite providers such as SpaceX’s Starlink, Amazon’s Project Kuiper, and OneWeb. Keysight and Samsung’s successful collaboration sets a benchmark not only in terms of technical capability but also commercialization-readiness. This places them in a strategic position to shape the industry’s trajectory as 3GPP-compliant NTN systems emerge as a standard for direct-to-device communication.
Future Outlook and Industry Analysis
Looking ahead, the successful demonstration of band n252 could expedite the adoption of hybrid terrestrial-satellite networks, potentially bridging coverage gaps that terrestrial 5G networks cannot address. This has vast implications for rural areas, maritime sectors, and aviation industries where reliable high-speed connectivity remains scarce.
Industry leaders, including Peng Cao, Vice President and General Manager of Keysight’s Wireless Test Group, have emphasized the importance of NTN in 6G roadmaps. Speaking on the announcement, Cao stated, “With n252, n255, and n256 now validated across NTN, the ecosystem is clearly accelerating toward bringing direct-to-cell satellite connectivity to mass-market devices.” Such advancements are expected to reduce integration risks, compress trial timelines, and ensure interoperability among OEMs and satellite providers.
With NR-NTN technologies entering operational testing phases, we can expect a domino effect where network operators and device manufacturers collaborate to prepare commercial-grade solutions that meet 3GPP standards. This paves the way for unlocking future 6G NTN use cases, including ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC) and enhanced IoT applications utilizing space assets.
Conclusion
The joint achievement of Keysight Technologies and Samsung Electronics in validating the first end-to-end NR-NTN connection in band n252 is a pivotal moment for the telecom industry. Consolidating key NTN bands under 3GPP Release 19 standards positions the industry to capitalize on a hybrid terrestrial-satellite network future.
What are your thoughts on the potential of NTN technologies to transform global connectivity as we march toward 6G? Let us know in the comments below!
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