3GPP Non-Terrestrial Network standards for satellite and HAPS media distribution, covering NR adaptations, architecture and MBS delivery.
Overview
5G-MAG tracks 3GPP Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) standards for satellite and HAPS media distribution. For the technical analysis of NTN deployment models, mobility and media delivery, see the Tech page linked below. For acronyms used here, see the Glossary.
New to the service layers that NTN carries? Multicast Broadcast Services (MBS) and 5G Broadcast are the delivery mechanisms most often deployed over satellite paths. See Standards: 5G Multicast Broadcast Services (MBS) and Standards: 5G Broadcast for background before reading this page.
Technology & Analysis
The detailed analysis documents behind lossless handover and multicast delivery over satellite.
Software Tools
No dedicated NTN reference tool exists yet; the MBS reference tools are the relevant software for NTN scenarios.
Specifications in scope
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 specificationcarries the NTN system information, including SIB19 | 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) | System architecture |
| TS 23.502 | Procedures for the 5G System (5GS) | System architecture |
| TS 23.247 | Architectural enhancements for 5G multicast-broadcast services | 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 |
| Alternative broadcast waveform | ETSI TS 103 720 |
5G-MAG tracking and contribution focus
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. See the Tech: Non-Terrestrial Networks page for the detailed analysis.
Related Standards Work
- Standards: 5G Multicast Broadcast Services (MBS): MBS Multicast and Broadcast are the primary service layers deployed over NTN
- Standards: 5G Broadcast: ETSI TS 103 720 defines the 5G Broadcast system (FeMBMS) that can operate over satellite NTN delivery paths
- ETSI TS 103 720: 5G Broadcast System for Linear TV and Radio Services; relevant for GEO satellite broadcast delivery scenarios
- Feedback and Requirements: how 5G-MAG submits feedback and requirements to SDOs
Refer to the Standards repository to contribute to this documentation.