Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN)
Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) integrate satellites, high-altitude platforms (HAPS), and drones into the cellular network architecture. 5G Release 17 introduced initial NTN support. In 6G, NTN will be native to the architecture, enabling ubiquitous coverage including oceans, deserts, and polar regions where terrestrial infrastructure is impractical.
Related terms explained
Network Slicing
Network slicing creates multiple isolated virtual networks on shared physical infrastructure, each tailored with specific performance characteristics — low latency for autonomous vehicles, high bandwidth for video streaming, or massive connection density for IoT sensors. Promised as a key 5G feature, it remains largely undeployed commercially as of 2026