The demonstration verifies vendor interoperability, whereas publicly validating the n252 S-band in a non-terrestrial community system
In sum — what to know:
The demo: Keysight, Samsung achieved a reside NR-NTN connectivity on a commercial-grade Samsung modem chipset in a demo at CES 2026.
The take a look at gear: The trial used Keysight’s UXM 5G Wi-fi Check Platform for precisely emulating 3GPP NTN circumstances.
The broader objective: The demo seeks to speed up the launch of direct-to-cell satellite tv for pc connectivity on mass-market gadgets by enabling modem distributors, satellite tv for pc operators, and system producers to guage NTN connectivity and vendor interoperability.
On the Client Electronics Present 2026 (CES) in Las Vegas final week, Keysight demoed a reside new radio non-terrestrial community (NR-NTN) connection in n252 frequency band — a brand new 3GPP S-band launched in Rel 19 that’s quick changing into central to enabling business direct-to-cell (D2C) functions.
Brendan Carr, chairman of FCC shared his enthusiasm for the D2C expertise at CES. He stated, “over the course of this 12 months, I feel you’ll see us begin to flesh out extra of our imaginative and prescient of a regulatory framework for direct-to-cell that can allow multi-billion-dollar investments.”
Keysight’s demonstration that included reside satellite-to-satellite (Sat-to-Sat) mobility was performed on a commercial-grade Samsung modem chipset utilizing Keysight’s UXM 5G Wi-fi Check Platform.
The trial was aimed toward verifying cross-vendor interoperability and public validation of the n252 band in an non-terrestrial community (NTN) system.
“Testing should replicate actual system constraints, practical mobility, and full end-to-end system habits, not simply primary hyperlink efficiency,” stated Manuel Blanco, 5G strategic planner and product supervisor at Keysight, talking of the significance of holistic testing for brand new frequency bands, particularly the n252 as it’s vital to direct-to-cell companies.
“Validation outcomes immediately influence system readiness, community design, and operator confidence as companies transfer from trials towards business launch,” he added.
However, modeling satellite-to-satellite handovers (HO) realistically within the lab setting will not be a small feat. Consequently, validating state continuity, timing alignment, and edge-case habits below the dynamic circumstances of HO is considerably extra complicated than within the predictable terrestrial mobility eventualities.
The UXM 5G Wi-fi Check Platform — an all-in-one take a look at resolution for 5G New Radio, LTE, and Wi-Fi — was picked for its capability to precisely emulate 3GPP NTN circumstances, together with satellite tv for pc hyperlink traits, mobility, and protocol habits, a requirement for direct-to-cell eventualities and interoperability with terrestrial networks.
As famous, not like most trials which use prototype methods, Keysight’s demo makes use of Samsung’s commercial-grade modem silicon. “Utilizing commercial-grade modem silicon shifts the demo from feasibility to deployability. It reveals that NTN capabilities are working inside actual product constraints, not prototype assumptions,” Blanco stated.
The result’s higher confidence amongst system distributors and operators, as they work to align system integration, interoperability, and repair planning with deployment timelines.
The trial matches with Keysight’s broader NTN imaginative and prescient to allow business gamers to design and validate NTN networks utilizing end-to-end emulation from gadgets and radio entry community (RAN) to core and transport.
“This full-system method permits clients to check practical interactions, mobility, and edge instances early, lowering deployment danger, and accelerating time to market,” Blanco highlighted.
The work with Samsung comes after the businesses collaborated early in 2025 on an AI-RAN Alliance initiative to implement AI in Samsung’s 5G-Superior and 6G applied sciences with Nvidia.
Low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites have emerged as a well-liked instrument of connectivity in lots of international locations. Orbiting at altitudes between 160 km to 2,000 km, LEO satellites provide excessive bandwidth and low-loss transmission. Their low deployment prices have additional made them a sexy choice for enabling satellite tv for pc terrestrial built-in networks (STIN). However quick orbital speeds and want for frequent handovers have led to thorny points, like sign storms and repair interruptions, underscoring the significance of high-quality lab-based emulation in enabling any form of satellite tv for pc connectivity.