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New Developments and Advances in 5G and Non-terrestrial Networks

New Developments and Advances in 5G and Non-Terrestrial Networks explores the advancements, opportunities, and challenges of integrating Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) with existing 5G infrastructure. As satellite technology continues to evolve, NTN is set to revolutionize global connectivity by extending mobile broadband services to remote and underserved areas, enabling critical emergency communications, and supporting new commercial applications.

NTN is rapidly transitioning from proof-of-concept trials to commercial services, with the markets for satellite-based telecommunications partnerships projected to grow to $28 billion by 2030, highlighting the increasing role of NTN in bridging the digital divide. Initial satellite-based tests have paved the way for real-world applications, with emergency communication services such as E911 and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) among the first to leverage NTN capabilities.

This white paper highlights the versatility of NTN across industries, including:

  • Remote and Rural Connectivity – Providing internet access to areas with limited or no terrestrial network coverage.
  • Maritime and Aviation Communications – Enhancing connectivity for ships, aircraft, and offshore operations.
  • Disaster Recovery and Emergency Response – Enabling life-saving communications in crisis situations.
  • Internet of Things (IoT) and Asset Tracking – Expanding NTN applications for smart agriculture, logistics, and infrastructure monitoring.

Regulatory support and technological advancements are key to NTN’s success. With efforts underway to standardize spectrum and enhance satellite integration, NTN will play a vital role in improving connectivity, resilience, and global digital inclusion.

Brian Olsen, Senior Manager, Technology Development and Strategy, T-Mobile

Executive Summary

The satellite industry in partnership with the 3GPP ecosystem can achieve ubiquitous seamless connectivity around the globe by complementing the coverage of 4G, 5G, and beyond terrestrial networks. Technological advances in the space and satellite communications industry and their integration with terrestrial telecommunications networks will play a significant role in shaping the future of connectivity. The Total Addressable Market for telecommunications revenues via wholesale satellite partnerships is expected to exceed US$28 billion by 2030.

This paper provides some insights into the ongoing and evolving supplementary services provided by space systems to terrestrial mobile networks. Over the past three years, this nascent service has seen some rudimentary tests and proof of concepts and is now entering into pre-commercial and commercial services. It is expected that there will be various implementations and architectures chosen by the space services partners, and each of these will require some time to shake down and bake. Coverage enhancements and support for the various emergency services such as E911 and WPAS (Wireless Public Alerting Service) or WEA (Wireless Emergency Alerting) will be the initial offering, as the space segment needs time to get assets into the sky to support seamless coverage. In the ramp-up to contiguous coverage, it is expected that intermittent coverage is available, with a period depending on the number of satellites in that orbital plane supporting the virtual cells on the ground. It is important to understand that, unlike the terrestrial network systems where the coverage was always there when a base station was installed, here the satellites move in their orbits and handover to the next satellite, if available, to continue the service.

As mobile operators and their satellite partners work out the bugs in the implementations and coverage, additional services may be added that replicate the existing services, such as voice and data that are offered on terrestrial mobile networks. It is hoped that the regulators in those countries where these services are being planned and/or are in the process of testing, deployment and/or regulatory review, are open to the challenges that will be worked through to provide services. This new service brings key aspirations to regulators in the hope to minimize the digital divide across the vast distances and geographic obstacles that have hindered the feasibility and economical deployment of terrestrial systems.

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