The expanding role of LEO and 5G in enterprise connectivity

The speed of business waits for no one. As the world accelerates, so do the expectations placed on enterprise connectivity. Business leaders want fast, flexible, and fail-safe connectivity, and it’s up to IT leaders to find new ways to provide it. Developments in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites and standalone 5G networks mean a mix of non-fiber connectivity solutions is becoming more and more viable for global enterprises.

Together, LEO and 5G integration could potentially reshape the future of enterprise networking.

LEO and 5G: A shift in mindset and the market

LEO satellites are changing the way enterprises think about their network mix. Why? Because they’re quick to deploy, provide high-speed and low-latency internet, and are increasingly accessible around the world.

They’re really changing how enterprises view technology diversity, providing instant agility without the long lead times or complex installation requirements of terrestrial solutions. And that’s across urban areas and hard-to-reach geographies, like remote energy sites, moving vehicles, or pop-up logistics hubs.

You can view an overview of the LEO use cases we’re seeing from global enterprises here.

Meanwhile, 5G is finally living up to its headline promises. While most of us have experienced 5G in hybrid form (as a blend of 4G and 5G), standalone 5G (5G SA) is coming into its own. There are currently about 60 standalone 5G networks globally, but that figure is rising fast and expected to grow to 100-120 by the end of this year. 

With it comes the true potential of 5G: ultra-low latency, high throughput, and one standout feature that enterprises are watching closely. Network slicing.

What is network slicing?

In all my years of product management across connectivity services and solutions, network slicing has to be one of the most exciting developments towards intent-based networking and management.

It lets businesses carve out private, dedicated lanes on a public 5G infrastructure. In essence, companies like Tesla are building private mobile networks tailored to their needs, something that could soon become as common as having a private Wi-Fi SSID today.

Which is better, 5G or Low Earth Orbit satellite?

It’s not really a question of which is better for enterprise connectivity. 5G and LEO satellite each have distinct strengths. 5G will deliver ultra-low latency and high speeds in densely populated areas, ideal for mobile and IoT use cases. LEO satellites excel in providing business continuity as part of a network resilience strategy, as well as providing fast, flexible coverage where terrestrial networks can’t reach. Ultimately, you need to look at the needs of each site, technology availability, and consider the best use case of each.

The real power could come from combining both to create seamless, resilient connectivity across every corner of the enterprise.

Breakthroughs in LEO satellite + 5G integration

At the end of last year, the European Space Agency (ESA) and Telesat successfully connected a LEO satellite to the ground using 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) technology. What makes this significant isn’t just the connectivity, but how it could enable 5G to run over and interact with LEO satellites.

What is 5G over LEO satellite?

The trial used open, standardized 5G protocols developed by 3GPP (the global body behind telecom standards), not proprietary technology. That means we’re inching closer to a future where any mobile device could connect directly to satellites. They wouldn’t need specialized hardware or custom integrations. Just your device, your SIM, and a whole lot of sky.

This direct-to-device potential could simplify how enterprises approach connectivity in terms of:

1. Remote teams in mining, agriculture, or maritime industries etc. could connect just as easily as office staff in urban centers. 
2. It opens new possibilities for global coverage without the need for local infrastructure which could drive down the costs of traditional network builds in hard-to-reach areas.

Perhaps most importantly, it could enable seamless switching between terrestrial and space-based networks. So no matter what happens, you could be deep underground, on a train, or moving across international borders, and your connection wouldn’t drop. 

5G-LEO satellite would hand off between networks the way your phone switches cell towers. That’s the future; real-time, always-on enterprise networking with no blind spots.

What 5G-LEO satellite means for enterprise connectivity strategies

Imagine combining 5G and LEO satellite into a single offering. This hybrid wireless network would be a lightweight, mobile solution consisting of a SIM card and satellite dish. We could pop it in a case and drop it into any global location for instant connectivity. 

This could mean: 

• Speed to deploy becomes a competitive advantage. With 5G-LEO satellite, there’s no need to wait for fiber trenching or regional access approvals. You can get connected fast and scale on demand.
• Redundancy moves from reactive to proactive. If the terrestrial link goes down, LEO steps in. If the satellite signal degrades, 5G picks up the slack. Always-on becomes the default, not the ambition.
• Mobility no longer means compromise. A fleet of vehicles, a mobile health unit, or a pop-up retail outlet can all run high-speed, low-latency applications.
• New security and control paradigms. Private 5G slices could offer enterprises granular control over how data moves, who can access what, and where the risk boundaries lie.
• Momentum for sustainability initiatives. Fewer physical installations, fewer infrastructure-heavy builds, and more use of shared or virtualized environments support a greener approach to global connectivity.

The age of fixed, fragile connectivity is over. The future of enterprise networking is fast, mobile, and resilient. And it’s arriving on the back of 5G-LEO satellite.

How can you combine mobile networks and LEO?

Whether you’re a global enterprise looking to expand into remote markets, a digital-first brand demanding edge performance, or an IT leader rethinking how your infrastructure scales, the message is clear: 

It’s time to think beyond the ground. Because with the right mix of space and spectrum, your network can go anywhere your business needs it to. 

Working with the right partner to provide your sites with the right connectivity will also be crucial. Expereo can provide the right mix of solutions to suit each site’s needs, whether that’s Fixed Wireless Access for reliable, flexible mobile (4G/LTE/5G) networks even in remote areas and/or our LEO satellite solutions for the network resilience you need for always-on connectivity.  

Get in touch today to discuss your needs.