Airbus Central Research and Technology, in collaboration with Luxembourg-based satellite operator OQ Technology, has successfully conducted the world’s first flight demonstration of a Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) connection to user terminals mounted on a test drone. This groundbreaking test showcased reliable data transmission even under random drone orientations, marking a significant milestone in the development of 5G NTN technology.
The demonstration proved the immense potential of 5G/6G NTN standards-based communication from space to flying users, achieving highly dependable low-data-rate transmission (5 kbps) with 99.95% continuity, even during extreme drone maneuvers such as loops and spins.
Omar Qaise, CEO of OQ Technology, commented: “S-band licensed frequencies with Narrowband IoT connectivity to OQ Technology’s Low Earth Orbiting satellites were used to connect the drone. That band is compatible with existing terrestrial cellular networks as it is standardized by 3GPP for NTN. It also offers advantages over higher frequencies such as Ku- and Ka-bands in terms of fading, as it is not affected by rain or weather conditions and can penetrate through forests. Licensed bands also have the advantage over unlicensed ones—like those used by LoRa—in having less interference and more protection. Our LEO satellites provide global coverage and are already licensed in many countries.”
This achievement represents a key step toward reliable, low-latency satellite connectivity for aviation, defense, and secure communication applications.