Over the past three years, TRANTOR has studied the feasibility of adopting these technologies for satellite communications, developing a compatible multi-orbit architecture, and creating new user terminals and base stations compatible with 5G satellite networks.

MADRID, July 8, 2026. The European TRANTOR project (5G+ evoluTion to mutioRbitAl multibaNd neTwORks), funded by Horizon Europe, has completed the work it began three years ago to drive the evolution of 5G Advanced and pre-6G satellite networks.

The consortium, led by the Telecommunications Technology Center of Catalonia (CTTC) and comprising the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS, HispaSat, Indra, Inster-Grupo Oesía, Quadsat, Software Radio Systems, Starion, and the University of Luxembourg, has accomplished, among other aspects, the feasibility study of adopting these technological standards for satellite communications, the development of compatible multi-orbit, multi-band and multi-satellite architecture, and the creation of new user terminals and base stations compatible with 5G satellite networks. It has also designed and validated AI modules for network resource management, created a mission planner for the design of future satellite networks, and made progress in developing advanced security mechanisms for satellite operators.

First 5G Broadband Transmission in Europe

Among other milestones, TRANTOR carried out the first 5G NR-NTN broadband transmission in Europe, using Hispasat 30W-6. This validation enables manufacturers in both the telecommunications and satellite sectors to begin developing and manufacturing terminals and base stations based on the 5G NTN standard.

This will enable a gradual technological transition from the DVB standard—which has been used since the 1990s for satellite video transmissions—to 5G NTN. This shift will allow the satellite sector to expand into new markets, such as direct connectivity to smartphones and automobiles, as well as new services traditionally targeted at the telecom sector.