5G-MAG tracks 3GPP Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) standards for satellite and HAPS media distribution. For NTN deployment models, mobility and media delivery, see the Technology page.
New to the service layers that NTN carries? Release 19 adds multicast and broadcast support when the intended service area is smaller than a cell (TR 21.919 clause 5.1.1) and a GSO band for LTE-based 5G Broadcast (TR 21.919 clause 5.4.1). See Media delivery over 5G Multicast Broadcast Services: Specifications and Media delivery over 5G Broadcast: Specifications for background before reading this page.
5G-MAG tracks MBS broadcast delivery over NTN, multicast session management and delivery-mode switching under NTN mobility, and lossless handover for multicast groups across the terrestrial/non-terrestrial boundary.
- Radio access: NR for NTN, in TR 38.811, TR 38.821, TR 38.863, TS 38.300 and TS 38.331.
- System architecture: TR 22.822, TR 23.737, TS 23.501 and TS 23.502, with TS 23.247 for MBS transport.
- By release: Release 17 is the first normative NTN work; Release 19 adds SIB27 to TS 38.331 for MBS broadcast over NTN.
Specifications
The specifications in scope, filterable by the layer they define: the NR radio adaptations for NTN, the 5G system architecture for satellite access, and the multicast broadcast services carried over it. Search matches the specification number, its title and any scope note.
12 of 12 specifications
| Specification | Title | Layer |
|---|---|---|
| TR 38.811 | Study on New Radio (NR) to support Non-Terrestrial Networks | NR for NTN |
| TR 38.821 | Solutions for NR to support Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) | NR for NTN |
| TS 38.331 | NR; Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol specificationclause 6.3.1 carries the NTN/MBS system information: SIB19 (ephemeris/timing, pre-existing, r17) and SIB27 (intendedServiceAreaList-r19, the actual Release-19 MBS-over-NTN addition); checked against V19.4.0 | NR for NTN |
| TS 38.300 | NR; NR and NG-RAN Overall Description; Stage 2 | NR for NTN |
| TR 38.863 | Non-terrestrial networks (NTN) related RF and co-existence aspects | NR for NTN |
| TR 22.822 | Study on using Satellite Access in 5GStage 1 | System architecture |
| TR 23.737 | Study on architecture aspects for using satellite access in 5GStage 2, Rel-16/17 | System architecture |
| TS 23.501 | System architecture for the 5G System (5GS); Stage 2 | System architecture |
| TS 23.502 | Procedures for the 5G System (5GS) | System architecture |
| TS 23.247 | Architectural enhancements for 5G multicast-broadcast services; Stage 2 | MBS over NTN |
| TS 26.502 | 5G multicast-broadcast services; User service architecture | MBS over NTN |
| TS 26.501 | 5G Media Streaming (5GMS); General description and architecture | MBS over NTN |
Applying MBS over NTN is the subject of active work in Release 19 and beyond; treat orbit-by-orbit and mode-by-mode feature placement as provisional. One confirmed item: Release 19 adds SIB27 to TS 38.331 for MBS broadcast over NTN. See MBS Broadcast NTN for the technical detail.
Specifications by role
The table groups the key specifications by the part of the system they govern.
| Role | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Radio access (NR NTN) | TR 38.811, TR 38.821, TR 38.863, TS 38.300, TS 38.331 |
| System architecture | TR 22.822, TR 23.737, TS 23.501, TS 23.502 |
| MBS transport | TS 23.247 |
| Media service layer | TS 26.501, TS 26.502 |
| 5G Broadcast system (LTE-based, terrestrial) | ETSI TS 103 720 |
Release by release
- Release 15 and 16: studies (TR 38.811, TR 38.821, TR 22.822, stage 1 of 5GSAT, with no stage 2 or 3 feature in Release 16).
- Release 17: first normative NTN: satellite NG-RAN in the 5G Core (5GSAT_ARCH), NR over transparent satellite payloads (NR_NTN_solutions, TS 38.300, TS 38.331, TS 38.101-5) and NB-IoT and eMTC over NTN.
- Release 18: satellite backhaul (5GSATB), discontinuous coverage (5GSAT_Ph2) and NR NTN enhancements (NR_NTN_enh): FR2-NTN bands, NTN-TN mobility, satellite switch with re-synchronisation, network-verified UE location.
- Release 19: NR_NTN_Ph3 (including multicast and broadcast with an intended service area smaller than a cell, and gNB on board the satellite), 5GSAT_Ph3 (Store and Forward, UE-Satellite-UE), PWS over satellite, E-UTRA TN to NR NTN reselection and a GSO band for LTE-based 5G Broadcast.
- Release 20 (work plan of 28 September 2026): 5GSAT_Ph4 with its stage 1 (TS 22.261) and stage 2 (TS 23.501, TS 23.502, TS 23.401 and others) parts, IoT_NTN_Ph4, NR_NTN_GNSS_resilient, LTE_TN_NR_NTN_HO and further RAN items; no Release 20 description (TR 21.920) exists yet, so treat Release 20 content as unverified.
The features per release and the clauses of TR 21.915 to TR 21.919 that describe them are on the Release history page.
Related
- Non-Terrestrial Networks in 5G Systems: Release history
- Non-Terrestrial Networks in 5G Systems: Technology
- Media delivery over 5G Multicast Broadcast Services: Specifications: Release 19 adds multicast and broadcast support for an intended service area smaller than a cell (TR 21.919 clause 5.1.1)
- Media delivery over 5G Broadcast: Specifications: ETSI TS 103 720 defines the LTE-based 5G terrestrial broadcast system; the GSO band for LTE-based 5G Broadcast is described in TR 21.919 clause 5.4.1
- ETSI TS 103 720: 5G Broadcast System for linear TV and radio services; LTE-based 5G terrestrial broadcast system
- Standardisation: how 5G-MAG submits feedback and requirements to SDOs