Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) Core Network Software Market Report 2026

Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) Core Network Software Market Overview

• Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) Core Network Software market size has reached to $1.65 billion in 2025 • Expected to grow to $4.83 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.1% • Growth Driver: Surge In Defense And Aerospace Communication Fueling The Growth Of The Market Due To Rising Demand For Secure And Reliable Connectivity In Military And Space Operations • Market Trend: Advancements In 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) Core Network Software Enable Seamless Satellite-Terrestrial Connectivity • North America was the largest region in 2025 and Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing region.

What Is Covered Under Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) Core Network Software Market?

Non-terrestrial network (NTN) core network software is a software-based core network solution designed to support satellite, high-altitude platform, and other non-terrestrial communication systems. It is compatible with 5G and future mobile standards, enabling interoperability between terrestrial and non-terrestrial infrastructures. It is used to enable seamless, secure, and reliable connectivity across space-, air-, and ground-based networks, extending coverage to remote and underserved regions while supporting mission-critical and broadband services. The main components of non-terrestrial network core network software include software and services. Software refers to programs that manage, orchestrate, and optimize core network functions for non-terrestrial communication systems, ensuring seamless connectivity across satellites, airborne platforms, and terrestrial networks. These solutions can be deployed on-premises or in cloud environments, depending on organizational requirements and scalability needs. They are applied in 5G and 6G networks, satellite communication, Internet of Things systems, defense operations, maritime communication, aviation networks, and other applications. They are used by several end users such as telecommunications companies, government and defense agencies, enterprises, transportation providers, and other end users.

What Is The Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) Core Network Software Market Growth Forecast?

The non-terrestrial network (ntn) core network software market size is expected to see exponential growth in the next few years. It will grow to $4.83 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to commercialization of 6g and ntn standards, growth of leo satellite constellations, rising demand for autonomous maritime and aviation connectivity, increasing adoption of cloud-native core network software, expansion of iot devices in non-terrestrial environments. Major trends in the forecast period include satellite-cellular network convergence for unified connectivity, network slicing for mission-critical ntn applications, edge-enabled core networks for low-latency ntn services, interoperable 5g–ntn standards adoption, secure mobility management across space-air-ground networks.

Global Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) Core Network Software Market Segmentation

1) By Component: Software, Services 2) By Deployment Mode: On-Premises, Cloud 3) By Application: 5G Or 6G Networks, Satellite Communication, Internet Of Things, Defense, Maritime, Aviation, Other Applications 4) By End-User: Telecommunications, Government And Defense, Enterprises, Transportation, Other End-Users Subsegments: 1) By Software: Core Network Management Software, Network Orchestration Software, Policy Control Software, Subscriber Data Management Software, Network Security Software 2) By Services: Consulting And System Design Services, Deployment And Integration Services, Managed Network Services, Maintenance And Technical Support Services, Training And Knowledge Transfer Services

What Is The Driver Of The Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) Core Network Software Market?

The growing defense and aerospace communication needs are expected to propel the growth of the non-terrestrial network (NTN) core network software market going forward. Defense and aerospace communication refers to advanced communication systems and technologies used to exchange critical information across military, aviation, and space operations, ensuring secure and reliable data transmission in mission-critical environments. The increase in defense and aerospace communication needs is due to rising requirements for fast, resilient, and secure connectivity to support military operations, national security, and space exploration activities. Non-terrestrial network (NTN) core network software supports defense and aerospace communication by enabling seamless, secure, and continuous connectivity among satellites, aircraft, naval vessels, and ground stations, particularly in remote or hard-to-reach locations. For instance, in May 2025, according to EveryCRSReport, a US-based government body, the Department of Defense (DoD) requested $21.1 billion for command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I) system procurement and research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E), including $989.2 million allocated to specific programs. Therefore, the growing defense and aerospace communication needs are driving the growth of the non-terrestrial network (NTN) core network software industry.

Key Players In The Global Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) Core Network Software Market

Major companies operating in the non-terrestrial network (ntn) core network software market are Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Cisco Systems Inc, Oracle Corporation, Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Nokia Corporation, ZTE Corporation, Keysight Technologies, Viasat Inc, Mavenir Systems Inc, Kratos Defense and Security Solutions, Radisys Corporation, Iridium Communications Inc, OneWeb Limited, Soracom Corporation Ltd, AccelerComm Ltd, Druid Software Limited, Skylo Technologies Inc, Omnispace LLC, OQ Technology S.A., and Gatehouse Satcom A/S

Global Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) Core Network Software Market Trends and Insights

Major companies operating in the non-terrestrial network (NTN) core network software market are focusing on developing advanced network software solutions, such as cloud-native 5G cores and software-defined radio access integration, to extend 5G connectivity beyond terrestrial infrastructure and support mission-critical and IoT applications. Cloud-native 5G cores are software-based network architectures deployed on cloud infrastructure that enable scalable, flexible, and automated 5G services, while software-defined radio access integration virtualizes and centrally controls radio access components to ensure seamless interoperability, mobility, and coverage across terrestrial and satellite networks. For instance, in July 2025, Kratos Defense and Security Solutions, a US-based company specializing in satellite communications and software-defined networking, collaborated with Intelsat, a US-based satellite communications company, to demonstrate a 5G non-terrestrial network over a geostationary (GEO) satellite using Intelsat’s Galaxy 19 spacecraft. The end-to-end system combined a cloud-native 5G core with a software-defined gNodeB and satellite payload to deliver standards-compliant 5G connectivity, enabling seamless handover between terrestrial and satellite networks while supporting IoT, mission-critical applications, and resilient communications in remote and underserved regions.

What Are Latest Mergers And Acquisitions In The Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) Core Network Software Market?

In September 2025, Mavenir Systems, Inc., a US-based company that provides core network software that supports non-terrestrial network (NTN) deployments, partnered with Iridium Communications Inc. to provide its core network software for Iridium’s Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) direct service. Through this partnership, Iridium aims to enable global NTN connectivity by integrating Mavenir’s cloud-native, 3GPP standards-compliant Converged Packet Core to support NB-IoT and Direct-to-Device (D2D) services over its satellite network. Iridium Communications Inc. is a US-based company that operates a satellite communications network providing mobile voice and data services.

Regional Outlook

North America was the largest region in the non-terrestrial network (NTN) core network software market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in this market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in this market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

What Defines the Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) Core Network Software Market?

The non-terrestrial network (NTN) core network software market includes revenues earned by entities through core network orchestration and management, mobility and session management, policy and charging control, network slicing support, and satellite-cellular integration services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

How is Market Value Defined and Measured?

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified). The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

What Key Data and Analysis Are Included in the Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) Core Network Software Market Report 2026?

The non-terrestrial network (ntn) core network software market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides market statistics, including industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the market share, detailed market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the non-terrestrial network (ntn) core network software industry. The market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future state of the industry.